Acrylonitrile (ACN) is used to manufacture plastics and fibers. It is carcinogenic in rats and is found in cigarette smoke. Ethylene oxide (EO) is a metabolite of ethylene, also found in cigarette smoke, and is carcinogenic in rodents. Both ACN and EO undergo conjugation with glutathione. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and hemoglobin adducts derived from ACN and EO and to investigate whether null genotypes for glutathione transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) alter the internal dose of these agents. The hemoglobin adducts N-(2-cyanoethyl)valine (CEVal), which is formed from ACN, and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine (HEVal), which is formed from EO, and GST genotypes were determined in blood samples obtained from 16 nonsmokers and 32 smokers (one to two packs/day). Smoking information was obtained by questionnaire, and plasma cotinine levels were determined by immunoassay. Glutathione transferase null genotypes (GSTM1 and GSTT1) were determined by PCR. Both CEVal and HEVal levels increased with increased cigarette smoking dose (both self-reported and cotinine-based). CEVal and HEVal levels were also correlated. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes had little effect on CEVal concentrations. GSTM1 null genotypes had no significant impact on HEVal. However, HEVal levels were significantly elevated in GSTT1-null individuals when normalized to smoking status or cotinine levels. The ratio of HEVal:CEVal was also elevated in GSTT1-null smokers (1.50 +/- 0.57 versus 0.88 +/- 0.24; P = 0.0002). The lack of a functional GSTT1 is estimated to increase the internal dose of EO derived from cigarette smoke by 50-70%. PMID:10919741

A Mu-class glutathioneS-transferase purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from bovine lens displayed thioltransferase activity, catalysing the transthiolation reaction between GSH and hydroxyethyldisulphide. The thiol-transfer reaction is composed of two steps, the formation of GSSG occurring through the generation of an intermediate mixed disulphide between GSH and the target disulphide. Unlike glutaredoxin, which is only able to catalyse the second step of the transthiolation process, glutathioneS-transferase catalyses both steps of the reaction. Data are presented showing that bovine lens glutathioneS-transferase and rat liver glutaredoxin, which was used as a thioltransferase enzyme model, can operate in synergy to catalyse the GSH-dependent reduction of hydroxyethyldisulphide. PMID:9693102

The glutathioneS-transferases comprise a group of multi-functional enzymes involved in the biotransformation/detoxication of a broad spectrum of hydrophobic compounds bearing an electrophilic center. The enzymes facilitate the nucleophilic attack of the -SH group of reduced glut...

GLUTATHIONEs-TRANSFERASE-MEDIATED METABOLISM OF BROMODICHLOROMETHANE. M K Ross1 and R A Pegram2. 1Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2Experimental Toxicology Division, NHEERL/ORD, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangl...

GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) comprises a family of isozymes with broad substrate specificities. One or more GST isozymes are present in most animal tissues and function in several detoxification pathways through the conjugation of reduced glutathione with various electrophiles, thereby reducing their potential toxicity. Four soluble GST isozymes encoded by genes on different chromosomes have been identified in humans. The acidic class pi GST, GSTP (previously designated GST-3), is widely distributed in adult tissues and appears to be the only GST isozyme present in leukocytes and placenta. Previously reported electrophoretic analyses of erythrocyte and leukocyte extracts revealed single bands of activity, which differed slightly in mobility between the two cell types, or under other conditions, a two-banded pattern. To our knowledge, no genetically determined polymorphisms have previously been reported in GSTP from any species. We now report a polymorphism of GSTP in baboon leukocytes, and present family data that verifies autosomal codominant inheritance. 14 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

Recombinant baculoviruses are a popular means of producing heterologous protein in eukaryotic cells. Purification of recombinant proteins away from the insect cell background can, however, remain an obstacle for many developments. Recently, prokaryotic fusion protein expression systems have been developed allowing single-step purification of the heterologous protein and specific proteolytic cleavage of the affinity tag moiety from the desired antigen. Here we report the introduction of these attributes to the baculovirus system. "Baculo-GEX" vectors enable baculovirus production of fusion proteins with the above advantages, but in a eukaryotic post-translational processing environment. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusions are stable cytoplasmic proteins in insect cells and may therefore be released by sonication alone, avoiding the solubility problems and detergent requirements of bacterial systems. Thus large amounts of authentic antigen may be purified in a single, non-denaturing step. PMID:7763917

Benzene is a known human carcinogen which must be activated to benzene oxide (BO) to exert its carcinogenic potential. BO can be detoxified in vivo by reaction with glutathione and excretion in the urine as S-phenylmercapturic acid. This process may be catalyzed by glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs), but kinetic data for this reaction have not been published. Therefore, we incubated GSTA1, GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1 with glutathione and BO and quantified the formation of S-phenylglutathione. Kinetic parameters were determined for GSTT1 and GSTP1. At 37 °C, the putative Km and Vmax values for GSTT1 were 420 μM and 450 fmol/s, respectively, while those for GSTP1 were 3600 μM and 3100 fmol/s. GSTA1 and GSTM1 did not exhibit sufficient activity for determination of kinetic parameters. We conclude that GSTT1 is a critical enzyme in the detoxification of BO and that GSTP1 may also play an important role, while GSTA1 and GSTM1 seem to be less important. PMID:26554337

Human liver glutathioneS-transferases (GSH S-transferases) were fractionated into cationic and anionic proteins. During fractionation with (NH4)2SO4 the anionic GSH S-transferases are concentrated in the 65%-saturated-(NH4)2SO4 fraction, whereas the cationic GSH S-transferases separate in the 80%-saturated-(NH4)2SO4 fraction. From the 65%-saturated-(NH4)2SO4 fraction two new anionic GSH S-transferases, omega and psi, were purified to homogeneity by using ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, affinity chromatography on GSH bound to epoxy-activated Sepharose and isoelectric focusing. By a similar procedure, cationic GSH S-transferases were purified from the 80%-saturated-(NH4)2SO4 fraction. Isoelectric points of GSH S-transferases omega and psi are 4.6 and 5.4 respectively. GSH S-transferase omega is the major anionic GSH S-transferase of human liver, whereas GSH S-transferase psi is present only in traces. The subunit mol.wt. of GSH S-transferase omega is about 22500, whereas that of cationic GSH S-transferases is about 24500. Kinetic and structural properties as well as the amino acid composition of GSH S-transferase omega are described. The antibodies raised against cationic GSH S-transferases cross-react with GSH S-transferase omega. There are significant differences between the catalytic properties of GSH S-transferase omega and the cationic GSH S-transferases. GSH peroxidase II activity is displayed by all five cationic GSH S-transferases, whereas both anionic GSH S-transferases do not display this activity. Images Fig. 3. PMID:7470087

The glutathioneS-transferases (alpha, mu, and pi), a family of Phase II detoxication enzymes, play a critical role in protecting the colon mucosa by catalyzing the conjugation of dietary carcinogens with glutathione. We investigated the efficacy of using the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity of blood lymphocytes and GST-mu expression as biomarkers of risk for colorectal cancer. GST activity was measured in the blood lymphocytes of control individuals (n = 67) and in the blood lymphocytes (n = 60) and colon tissue (n = 34) of individuals at increased risk for colon cancer. Total GST activity was determined spectrophotometrically with the use of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as a substrate. The ability to express the um subclass of GST was determined with the use of an ELISA. Although interindividual variability in the GST activity of blood lymphocytes was greater than 8-fold (range, 16.7-146.8 nmol/min/mg), the GST activity of blood lymphocytes and colon tissue within an individual was constant over time and was unrelated to sex, age, or race. The GST activity of blood lymphocytes from high-risk individuals was significantly lower than that of blood lymphocytes from control individuals (P < or = 0.004). No association was observed between the frequency of GST-mu phenotype and risk for colorectal cancer. Blood lymphocytes from high-risk individuals unable to express GST-mu had lower levels of GST activity than did those from control subjects with the GST-mu null phenotype; however, this difference was significant in male subjects only (P < or = 0.006). Analysis of paired samples of blood lymphocytes and colon tissue indicated a strong correlation between the GST activity of the two tissue types (Spearman's rank correlation, r = 0.87; P < or = 0.0001). The GST activity of blood lymphocytes may be used to identify high-risk individuals with decreased protection from this Phase II detoxication enzyme who may benefit from clinical trials evaluating GST modulators

The mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes sarcoptic mange, or scabies, a disease that affects both animals and humans worldwide. Our interest in S. scabiei led us to further characterise a glutathioneS-transferase. This multifunctional enzyme is a target for vaccine and drug development in several parasitic diseases. The S. scabiei glutathioneS-transferase open reading frame reported here is 684 nucleotides long and yields a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 26 kDa. Through phylogenetic analysis the enzyme was classified as a delta-class glutathioneS-transferase, and our paper is the first to report that delta-class glutathioneS-transferases occur in organisms other than insects. The recombinant S. scabiei glutathioneS-transferase was expressed in Escherichia coli via three different constructs and purified for biochemical analysis. The S. scabiei glutathioneS-transferase was active towards the substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, though the positioning of fusion partners influenced the kinetic activity of the enzyme. Polyclonal antibodies raised against S. scabiei glutathioneS-transferase specifically localised the enzyme to the integument of the epidermis and cavities surrounding internal organs in adult parasites. However, some minor staining of parasite intestines was observed. No staining was seen in host tissues, nor could we detect any antibody response against S. scabiei glutathioneS-transferase in sera from naturally S. scabiei infected dogs or pigs. Additionally, the polyclonal sera raised against recombinant S. scabiei glutathioneS-transferase readily detected a protein from mites, corresponding to the predicted size of native glutathioneS-transferase. PMID:15619514

The aim of the present study was to identify functional antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) against the rat glutathioneS-transferase Mu (GSTM) isoforms, GSTM1 and GSTM2. These antisense ODNs would enable the study of the physiological consequences of GSTM deficiency. Because it has been suggested that the effectiveness of antisense ODNs is dependent on the secondary mRNA structures of their target sites, we made mRNA secondary structure predictions with two software packages, Mfold and STAR. The two programs produced only marginally similar structures, which can probably be attributed to differences in the algorithms used. The effectiveness of a set of 18 antisense ODNs was evaluated with a cell-free transcription/translation assay, and their activity was correlated with the predicted secondary RNA structures. Four phosphodiester ODNs specific for GSTM1, two ODNs specific for GSTM2, and four ODNs targeted at both GSTM isoforms were found to be potent, sequence-specific, and RNase H-dependent inhibitors of protein expression. The IC50 value of the most potent ODN was approximately 100 nM. Antisense ODNs targeted against regions that were predicted by STAR to be predominantly single stranded were more potent than antisense ODNs against double-stranded regions. Such a correlation was not found for the Mfold prediction. Our data suggest that simulation of the local folding of RNA facilitates the discovery of potent antisense sequences. In conclusion, we selected several promising antisense sequences, which, when synthesized as biologically stable oligonucleotides, can be applied for study of the physiological impact of reduced GSTM expression. PMID:12515389

Background Glutathione (GSH) is one of the most important agents of the antioxidant defense system of the cell because, in conjunction with the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathioneStransferase pi (GSTpi), it plays a central role in the detoxification and biotransformation of chemotherapeutic drugs. This study evaluated the expression of GSH and the GSH-Px and GSTpi enzymes by immunohistochemistry in 30 canine mammary tumors, relating the clinicopathological parameters, clinical outcome and survival of the bitches. In an in vitro study, the expression of the genes glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) that synthesize GSH and GSH-Px gene were verified by qPCR and subjected to treatment with doxorubicin, to check the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Results The immunohistochemical expression of GSH, GSH-Px and GSTpi was compared with the clinical and pathological characteristics and the clinical outcome in the bitches, including metastasis and death. The results showed that high immunoexpression of GSH was correlated to the absence of tumor ulceration and was present in dogs without metastasis (P 0.05). The analysis of the relative expression of genes responsible for the synthesis of GSH (GCLC and GSS) and GSH-Px by quantitative PCR was done with cultured cells of 10 tumor fragments from dogs with mammary tumors. The culture cells showed a decrease in GCLC and GSS expression when compared with no treated cells (P

The postnatal development in male Sprague-Dawley rats of hepatic glutathioneS-transferase B (ligandin) in relation to the other glutathioneS-transferases is described. The concentration of glutathioneS-transferase B in 1-day-old male rats is about one-fifth of that in adult animals. The enzyme reaches adult concentrations 4-5 weeks later. When assessed by substrate specificity or immunologically, the proportion of transferase B relative to the other glutathioneS-transferases is high during the first week after birth. At this age, 67.5% of the transferase activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene is immunoprecipitable by anti-(transferase B), compared with about 50% in adults and older pups. Between the second and the fifth postnatal week, the fraction of transferase B increases in parallel fashion with the other transferases in hepatic cytosol. Neither L-thyroxine nor cortisol induce a precocious increase in glutathioneS-transferase activity. Phenobarbital did induce transferase activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene in both pups and adults. The extent of induction by phenobarbital was a function of basal activity during development such that the percentage stimulation remained constant from 5 days postnatally to adulthood. PMID:1008852

Down syndrome (DS) is the phenotypic manifestation of trisomy 21. Our study was concerned with the characterization and purification of glutathioneS-transferase enzyme (GST) from normal and Down syndrome (DS) erythrocytes to illustrate the difference in the role of this enzyme in the cell. GlutathioneS-transferase and glutathione (GSH) was…

The glutathioneS-transferase superfamily play key roles in the metabolism of numerous xenobiotics. We report herein the identification and characterization of a novel glutathioneS-transferase in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The enzyme (bmGSTu2) conjugates glutathione to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, as well as metabolizing diazinon, one of the organophosphate insecticides. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of transcripts demonstrated that bmGSTu2 expression was induced 1.7-fold in a resistant strain of B. mori. Mutagenesis of putative amino acid residues in the glutathione-binding site revealed that Ile54, Glu66, Ser67, and Asn68 are crucial for enzymatic function. These results provide insights into the catalysis of glutathione conjugation in silkworm by bmGSTu2 and into the detoxification of organophosphate insecticides. PMID:27440377

The glutathioneS-transferase superfamily play key roles in the metabolism of numerous xenobiotics. We report herein the identification and characterization of a novel glutathioneS-transferase in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The enzyme (bmGSTu2) conjugates glutathione to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, as well as metabolizing diazinon, one of the organophosphate insecticides. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis of transcripts demonstrated that bmGSTu2 expression was induced 1.7-fold in a resistant strain of B. mori. Mutagenesis of putative amino acid residues in the glutathione-binding site revealed that Ile54, Glu66, Ser67, and Asn68 are crucial for enzymatic function. These results provide insights into the catalysis of glutathione conjugation in silkworm by bmGSTu2 and into the detoxification of organophosphate insecticides. PMID:27440377

ABSTRACTBromodichloromethane (BDCM), a prevalent drinking water disinfection by-product, was previously shown to be mutagenic in Salmonella expressing glutathioneS-transferase (GST) theta 1-1 (GST T1-1). In the present study, in vitro experiments were performed to study the...

In high-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns, the binding of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) to glutathione (GSH) is used for detection of GST-tagged proteins in protein-protein interactions or enzyme assays. However, many false-positives, so-called frequent hitters (FH), arise that either prevent GST/GSH interaction or interfere with assay signal generation or detection. To identify GST-FH compounds, we analyzed the data of five independent AlphaScreen-based screening campaigns to classify compounds that inhibit the GST/GSH interaction. We identified 53 compounds affecting GST/GSH binding but not influencing His-tag/Ni(2+)-NTA interaction and general AlphaScreen signals. The structures of these 53 experimentally identified GST-FHs were analyzed in chemoinformatic studies to categorize substructural features that promote interference with GST/GSH binding. Here, we confirmed several existing chemoinformatic filters and more importantly extended them as well as added novel filters that specify compounds with anti-GST/GSH activity. Selected compounds were also tested using different antibody-based GST detection technologies and exhibited no interference clearly demonstrating specificity toward their GST/GSH interaction. Thus, these newly described GST-FH will further contribute to the identification of FH compounds containing promiscuous substructures. The developed filters were uploaded to the OCHEM website (http://ochem.eu) and are publicly accessible for analysis of future HTS results. PMID:27044684

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a phytochemical associated with plant defense in plants from the Brassicaceae family. AITC has long been recognized as a countermeasure against external threats, but recent reports suggest that AITC is also involved in the onset of defense-related mechanisms such as the regulation of stomatal aperture. However, the underlying cellular modes of action in plants remain scarcely investigated. Here we report evidence of an AITC-induced depletion of glutathione (GSH) and the effect on gene expression of the detoxification enzyme family glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Treatment of A. thaliana wild-type with AITC resulted in a time- and dose-dependent depletion of cellular GSH. AITC-exposure of mutant lines vtc1 and pad2-1 with elevated and reduced GSH-levels, displayed enhanced and decreased AITC-tolerance, respectively. AITC-exposure also led to increased ROS-levels in the roots and loss of chlorophyll which are symptoms of oxidative stress. Following exposure to AITC, we found that GSH rapidly recovered to the same level as in the control plant, suggesting an effective route for replenishment of GSH or a rapid detoxification of AITC. Transcriptional analysis of genes encoding GSTs showed an upregulation in response to AITC. These findings demonstrate cellular effects by AITC involving a reversible depletion of the GSH-pool, induced oxidative stress, and elevated expression of GST-encoding genes. PMID:25954298

The placenta possesses the ability to metabolize numerous xenobiotics and endogenous steroids. However, it is unknown whether regional differences in these enzymatic reactions exist in the human placenta. To this end, we undertook a study of four regions of the placenta, the chorionic plate, maternal surface, placental margin and whole tissue, to assess the activities of cytochrome P450 1A1 and 19A1 (aromatase) and glutathione S-stransferase in these fractions. No differences in either P450 1A1 or glutathioneS-transferase activities were noted among any of the placental fractions. However, with respect to P450 19A1 activity, the placental margin differed significantly from all other fractions (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that whole tissue samples of the human placenta are adequate for placental cytochrome P450 and glutathioneS-transferase metabolism studies. PMID:8938464

Oxidative stress has a proven role in pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The antioxidant drugs, especially N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have been used for years to overcome oxidative stress effects in patients. In the present study we have investigated the effects of NAC treatment (IV NAC in 150mg/kg at the first day followed by 50mg/kg/day for three days) on 27 ICU patients with ALI/ARDS considering the glutathione-S-transferase genetic variations, as an important enzyme contributing in oxidative stress pathways. The results indicated that NAC improved oxygenation (increase in PaO(2)/FiO(2)) and decreased mortality rate in treated patients compared to control group (p<0.05). Evaluation of three isoforms of glutathione-S-transferase (GST M1, P1 and T1), in these patients have showed an association between GST M1null, and GST M1 and T1 double null polymorphisms with increased mortality in control group, suggesting antioxidant therapy critical for this group of patients. PMID:18993042

GlutathioneS-transferase activity was measured in partially purified haemolysates of erythrocytes from human foetuses and adults. Enzyme activity was present in erythrocytes obtained between 12 and 40 weeks of gestation. The catalytic properties of the enzyme from foetal cells were similar to those of the enzyme from adult erythrocytes, indicating that probably only one form of the erythrocytes enzyme exists throughout foetal and adult life. PMID:7396875

GlutathioneS-transferases (EC 2.5.1.18) are a multigene family of related proteins divided into four classes. Each class has multiple isoforms that exhibit tissue-specific expression, which may be an important determinant of susceptibility of that tissue to toxic injury or cancer. Recent studies have suggested that alpha-class glutathioneS-transferase isoforms may play an important role in the development of cancers. Several alpha-class glutathioneS-transferase isozymes have been characterized, purified, and cloned from a number of species, including rats, mice, and humans. Here we report on the cloning, sequencing, and mRNA expression of two alpha-class glutathioneS-transferases from mouse liver, termed mYa and mYc. While mYa was shown to be identical to the known alpha-class glutathioneS-transferase complementary DNA clone pGT41 (W. R. Pearson et al., J. Biol. Chem., 263: 13324-13332, 1988), the other clone, mYc, was demonstrated to be a novel complementary DNA clone encoding a glutathioneS-transferase homologous to rat Yc (subunit 2). The mRNA for this novel complementary DNA is expressed constitutively in mouse liver. It also is the major alpha-class glutathioneS-transferase isoform expressed in lung. The levels of expression of the butylated hydroxyanisole-inducible form (mYa) are highest in kidney and intestine. Treatment of mice with butylated hydroxyanisole had little effect on the expression levels of mYc but strongly induced mYa expression in liver. Butylated hydroxyanisole treatment increased expression levels for both mYa and mYc to varying degrees in kidney, lung, and intestine. The importance of the novel mouse liver alpha-class glutathioneS-transferase isoform (mYc) in the metabolism of aflatoxin B1 and other carcinogens is discussed. PMID:1728405

Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has very low constitutive glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity when assayed with the chloroacetamide herbicide dimethenamid as a substrate, which may account for its low tolerance to dimethenamid in the field. Treatment of seeds with the herbicide safener fluxofenim increased the total GST activity extracted from T. aestivum shoots 9-fold when assayed with dimethenamid as a substrate, but had no effect on glutathione levels. Total GST activity in crude protein extracts from T. aestivum, Triticum durum, and Triticum tauschii was separated into several component GST activities by anion-exchange fast-protein liquid chromatography. These activities (isozymes) differed with respect to their activities toward dimethenamid or 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrates and in their levels of induction by safener treatment. A safener-induced GST isozyme was subsequently purified by anion-exchange and affinity chromatography from etiolated shoots of the diploid wheat species T. tauschii (a progenitor of hexaploid wheat) treated with the herbicide safener cloquintocet-mexyl. The isozyme bound to a dimethenamid-affinity column and had a subunit molecular mass of 26 kD based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme (designated GST TSI-1) was recognized by an antiserum raised against a mixture of maize (Zea mays) GSTs. Amino acid sequences obtained from protease-digested GST TSI-1 had significant homology with the safener-inducible maize GST V and two auxin-regulated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) GST isozymes. PMID:9276955

The superfamily of glutathioneS-transferases has been the subject of extensive study but Actinobacteria produce mycothiol (MSH) in place of glutathione and no mycothiol S-transferase (MST) has been identified. Using mycothiol and monochlorobimane as substrates a MST activity was detected in extracts of Mycobacterium smegmatis and purified sufficiently to allow identification of MSMEG_0887, a member the DUF664 family of the DinB superfamily, as the MST. The identity of the M. smegmatis and homologous Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Rv0443) enzymes was confirmed by cloning and the expressed proteins were found to be active with MSH but not bacillithiol (BSH) or glutathione (GSH). Bacillus subtilis YfiT is another member of the DinB superfamily but this bacterium produces BSH. The YfiT protein was shown to have S-transferase activity with monochlorobimane when assayed with BSH but not with MSH or GSH. Enterococcus faecalis EF_3021 shares some homology with MSMEG_0887 but this organism produces GSH but not MSH or BSH. Cloned and expressed EF_0321 was active with monochlorobimane and GSH but not with MSH or BSH. MDMPI_2 is another member of the DinB superfamily and has been previously shown to have mycothiol-dependent maleylpyruvate isomerase activity. Three of the eight families of the DinB superfamily include proteins shown to catalyze thiol-dependent metabolic or detoxification activities. Since more than two-thirds of the sequences assigned to the DinB superfamily are members of these families it seems likely that such activity is dominant in the DinB superfamily. PMID:22059487

Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study. Six rats were injected with benzo(a)pyrene (BP); the other six rats served as the control. Twenty-four hours after injection, hepatocytes were isolated and cultured. The cultured plates were divided into 5 groups and treated with absolute ethanol (control), butylated hydroxytoluene, vitamin E, ascorbic acid or vitamin Elascorbic acid. After 48 hours, the hepatocytes were harvested for enzyme activation determination. With both control and BP-injected rats, each antioxidant treatment significantly increased glutathione-S-transferase activity. The results suggest that antioxidants may have a detoxifying effect against BP-induced carcinogenesis. PMID:2817788

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new modality of treatment for cancer. Hypericin is a photosensitizer, which is known to generate reactive oxygen species upon activation with light. We observed that photoactivated hypericin induces the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cells in vitro. There was also significant reduction of GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity in HK1 and CNE-2 NPC cells and in tumor tissues from the NPC/HK1 murine tumor model by hypericin-mediated PDT. As antioxidants protect cells against phototoxicity, down-regulation of GST activity would potentiate the efficacy of hypericin-PDT treatment. PMID:15072826

Comparative DDT-susceptibility status and glutathions-transferase (GST) activity of Malaysian Anopheles maculatus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti was investigated to ascertain the role of this enzyme in DDT resistance. The standardised WHO dose-mortality bioassay tests were used to determine DDT susceptibility in these mosquitos, whilst GST microassay (Brogdon and Barber, 1990) was conducted to measure the activity of this enzyme in mosquito homogenate. It appeared that DDT susceptibility status of Malaysian mosquitos was not correlated with GST activity. PMID:8525405

Azathioprine is a purine antimetabolite drug commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In vivo it is active after reaction with reduced glutathione (GSH) and conversion to mercaptopurine. Although this reaction may occur spontaneously, the presence of isoforms M and A of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) may increase its speed. Indeed, in pediatric patients with IBD, deletion of GST-M1, which determines reduced enzymatic activity, was recently associated with reduced sensitivity to azathioprine and reduced production of azathioprine active metabolites. In addition to increase the activation of azathioprine to mercaptopurine, GSTs may contribute to azathioprine effects even by modulating GSH consumption, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Therefore, genetic polymorphisms in genes for GSTs may be useful to predict response to azathioprine even if more in vitro and clinical validation studies are needed. PMID:24707136

A cDNA encoding an omega-class glutathioneS-transferase of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori (bmGSTO), was cloned by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The resulting clone was sequenced and deduced for amino acid sequence, which revealed 40, 40, and 39% identities to omega-class GSTs from human, pig, and mouse, respectively. A recombinant protein (rbmGSTO) was functionally overexpressed in Escherichia coli cells in a soluble form and purified to homogeneity. rbmGSTO was able to catalyze the biotranslation of glutathione with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, a model substrate for GST, as well as with 4-hydroxynonenal, a product of lipid peroxidation. This enzyme was shown to have high affinity for organophosphorus insecticide and was present abundantly in silkmoth strain exhibiting fenitrothion resistance. These results indicate that bmGSTO could be involved in the increase in level of insecticide resistance for lepidopteran insects. PMID:19022397

Soil contamination with nonmetabolized antibiotics is an emerging environmental concern, especially on agricultural croplands that receive animal manure as fertilizer. In this study, phytotoxicity of chlortetracycline (CTC) antibiotics on pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and maize (Zea mays) was investigated under controlled conditions. When grown in CTC-treated soil, a significant increase in the activities of the plant stress proteins glutathioneS-transferases (GST) and peroxidases (POX) were observed in maize plants, but not in pinto beans. In vitro conjugation reactions demonstrated that the induced GST in maize catalyzed the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) with CTC, producing stable conjugates that were structurally characterized using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The antibiotic-induced GST produced CTC-glutathione conjugate at relative concentrations 2-fold higher than that produced by constitutively expressed GST extracted from untreated maize. On the other hand, GST extracted from pinto beans (both treated and untreated) did not efficiently catalyze glutathione conjugation with CTC. These results suggest that maize is able to detoxify chlortetracycline via the glutathione pathway, whereas pinto beans cannot. This may explain the observed stunted growth of pinto beans after antibiotic treatment. This study demonstrates the importance of plant uptake in determining the fate of antibiotics in soil and their potential phytotoxicity to susceptible plants. PMID:17593756

The extensive similarities between helminth proteins and allergens are thought to contribute to helminth-driven allergic sensitization. We investigated the molecular and structural similarities between Bla g 5, a major glutathione-Stransferase (GST) allergen of cockroaches, and the GST of Wucherer...

Genotypes responsible for interindividual differences in ability to activate or detoxify genotoxic agents are recognized as biomarkers of susceptibility. Among the most studied genotypes are human glutathione transferases. The relationship of genetic susceptibility to biomarkers of exposure and effects was studied especially in relation to the genetic polymorphism of glutathioneS-transferase M1 (GSTM1). For this review papers reporting the effect of GSTM1 genotype on DNA adducts, protein adducts, urine mutagenicity, Comet assay parameters, chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), micronuclei, and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase mutations were assessed. Subjects in groups occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzidine, pesticides, and 1,3-butadiene were included. As environmentally exposed populations, autopsy donors, coal tar-treated patients, smokers, nonsmokers, mothers, postal workers, and firefighters were followed. From all biomarkers the effect of GSTM1 and N-acetyl transferase 2 was seen in coke oven workers on mutagenicity of urine and of glutathioneS-transferase T1 on the chromosomal aberrations in subjects from 1,3-butadiene monomer production units. Effects of genotypes on DNA adducts were found from lung tissue of autopsy donors and from placentas of mothers living in an air-polluted region. The GSTM1 genotype affected mutagenicity of urine in smokers and subjects from polluted regions, protein adducts in smokers, SCE in smokers and nonsmokers, and Comet assay parameters in postal workers. A review of all studies on GSTM1 polymorphisms suggests that research probably has not reached the stage where results can be interpreted to formulate preventive measures. The relationship between genotypes and biomarkers of exposure and effects may provide an important guide to the risk assessment of human exposure to mutagens and carcinogens. PMID:9539016

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) constitute a superfamily of enzymes involved in detoxification of noxious compounds and protection against oxidative damage. GST class Phi (GSTF), one of the important classes of plant GSTs, has long been considered as plant specific but was recently found in basidiomycete fungi. However, the range of nonplant taxonomic groups containing GSTFs remains unknown. In this study, the distribution and phylogenetic relationships of nonplant GSTFs were investigated. We identified GSTFs in ascomycete fungi, myxobacteria, and protists Naegleria gruberi and Aureococcus anophagefferens. GSTF occurrence in these bacteria and protists correlated with their genome sizes and habitats. While this link was missing across ascomycetes, the distribution and abundance of GSTFs among ascomycete genomes could be associated with their lifestyles to some extent. Sequence comparison, gene structure, and phylogenetic analyses indicated divergence among nonplant GSTFs, suggesting polyphyletic origins during evolution. Furthermore, in silico prediction of functional partners suggested functional diversification among nonplant GSTFs. PMID:26884677

GlutathioneS-transferase P1 (GSTP1), an enzyme involved in detoxification process, is frequently inactivated in prostate cancer due to epigenetic modifications. Through in silico analysis we identified a subset of miRNAs that are putative targets in regulating GSTP1. miRNAs are small endogenous non-coding RNA that are critical regulators of various physiologic and pathologic processes and their level of expression may play a precise role in early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. These small molecules have been detected in a wide variety of human biological specimens including blood, serum, urine, ejaculate and tissues, which could be utilized as clinically useful biomarker in early detection and prognosis of prostate cancer. The chapter summarizes the current knowledge about miRNA involved in GSTP1 regulation in prostate cancer and their potential as useful biomarkers of disease for early detection and prognosis, along with challenges and limitations in this development. PMID:25774339

GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) was suggested as an important contributor to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The GSTs polymorphisms have been investigated as candidate genetic risk factors for AD, yet results remained uncertain. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the relationship of GSTs polymorphisms with the occurrence of AD. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and Alzgene databases were searched and potential literatures were selected. Pooled analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted, and also publication bias tests and cumulative meta-analysis. This meta-analysis suggested null associations between polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTM3, GSTP1, GSTO1 and AD risk. GSTs variants may not have an impact on the morbidity of Alzheimer's disease. Further well designed researches are required to confirm these findings of the current study. PMID:25981226

The structurally related glutathioneS-transferase isoforms GSTA1-1 and GSTA4-4 differ greatly in their relative catalytic promiscuity. GSTA1-1 is a highly promiscuous detoxification enzyme. In contrast, GSTA4-4 exhibits selectivity for congeners of the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal. The contribution of protein dynamics to promiscuity has not been studied. Therefore, hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (H/DX) and fluorescence lifetime distribution analysis were performed with glutathioneS-transferases A1-1 and A4-4. Differences in local dynamics of the C-terminal helix were evident as expected on the basis of previous studies. However, H/DX demonstrated significantly greater solvent accessibility throughout most of the GSTA1-1 sequence compared with GSTA4-4. A Phe-111/Tyr-217 aromatic-aromatic interaction in A4-4, which is not present in A1-1, was hypothesized to increase core packing. "Swap" mutants that eliminate this interaction from A4-4 or incorporate it into A1-1 yield H/DX behavior that is intermediate between the wild type templates. In addition, the single Trp-21 residue of each isoform was exploited to probe the conformational heterogeneity at the intrasubunit domain-domain interface. Excited state fluorescence lifetime distribution analysis indicates that this core residue is more conformationally heterogeneous in GSTA1-1 than in GSTA4-4, and this correlates with greater stability toward urea denaturation for GSTA4-4. The fluorescence distribution and urea sensitivity of the mutant proteins were intermediate between the wild type templates. The results suggest that the differences in protein dynamics of these homologs are global. The results suggest also the possible importance of extensive conformational plasticity to achieve high levels of functional promiscuity, possibly at the cost of stability. PMID:17561509

Moyer AM, Salavaggione OE, Hebbring SJ et al.: GlutathioneS-transferase T1 and M1: gene sequence variation and functional genomics. Clin. Cancer Res. 13, 7207-7216 (2007). Genetic variations in the glutathioneS-transferases GSTT1 and GSTM1 have been studied in many human populations, and association of these variations with environmentally-related cancers, drug-induced hepatotoxicity and even chronification of viral hepatitis has been shown. However, studies carried out to date have been limited to gene deletion, designated as null alleles, and no extensive studies on other types of genetic variations have been carried out. This study is of great importance, as it describes the occurrence and the allele frequencies for 18 SNPs in the GSTT1 gene, including four nonsynonymous SNPs, and 69 SNPs, two of which are nonsynonymous, in the GSTM1 gene. The GSTT1 SNPs leading to the amino acid substitutions Asp43Asn, Thr65Met, Thr104Pro and a single nucleotide deletion in exon 4 cause a decrease in immunoreactive protein. Interestingly, the previously described nonsynonymous GSTT1 SNPs rs2266635 (Ala21Thr), rs11550606 (Leu30Pro), rs17856199 (Phe45Cys), rs11550605 (Thr104Pro), rs2266633 (Asp141Asn) and rs2234953 (Glu173Lys) were not identified in 400 subjects, thus indicating that these variant alleles are expected to occur at extremely low frequencies. This study reinforces the need to combine SNP databases and resequencing. On combining the data reported in this study with SNP databases, the most promising target SNPs for GSTT1 association studies are those causing the amino acid changes Asp43Asn, Thr65Met, Thr104Pro and the single nucleotide deletion in exon 4. These gene variants should be analyzed in African-American and Hispanic subjects to increase the predictive capacity of genetic tests. For Caucasians and Oriental subjects, testing for null alleles seems to be sufficient. PMID:18303971

The effects of 4,4'DDE, methoxychlor and imidazole were studied on glutathioneS-transferase activities in the gills and hepatopancreas of the clam Ruditapes decussatus. The contamination doses were 0.14 microM for 4,4'DDE, 0.14 microM for methoxychlor and 25 microM for imidazole. GST activities were spectrophotometrically measured. SDS-PAGE and isoelectric focusing (IEF) were used to separate the different GST isoforms in control and treated animals, followed by Western blotting performed with anti-alpha, anti-mu and anti-pi GST anti-sera. In the hepatopancreas, GST-CDNB activities were always two to five-fold lower than in the gills where the activities were significantly increased after exposure to 4,4'DDE (ca. 1.6-fold) and to methoxychlor (ca. 1.3-fold) compared to the controls (ca. 3 micromolmin(-1)mg(-1)protein) whereas they remained unchanged after treatment with imidazole. When using glutathioneS-transferase anti-alpha, anti-mu and anti-pi anti-sera, a single 26 kDa polypeptide was observed in the hepatopancreas and in the gills in all the tested conditions. Five GST subunits were observed after IEF showing greater immuno-reactivity with the anti-pi mammalian class antiserum than with the anti-alpha or anti-mu mammalian anti-sera. One isoform of pI 5.77 was particularly induced by 4,4'DDE and methoxychlor; it was recognized by the three anti-sera tested and seemed to be more efficient in the gills than in the hepatopancreas. This isoform may play a role in organochlorine detoxication. PMID:15110472

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in children. It accounts for one fourth of all childhood cancers and approximately 75% of all childhood leukemias. Some prognostic factors determine the outcome of therapy [e.g. age, sex, initial white blood cell count (WBC), etc.]; however, it is believed that other mechanisms such as glutathioneS-transferase (GST) gene mutation, the expression of lung resistance protein (LRP), and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) also plays a role in treatment failure. In this study, GST gene mutations including GSTM1 and GSTT1 were evaluated in patients with leukemia. Thirty newly diagnosed ALL patients younger than 15 years of age participated in the present study. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were evaluated for immune phenotyping and DNA was extracted for GST genotyping. All data plus sex, age, initial WBC count, central nervous system (CNS) or testicular involvement, immune phenotype, and outcome (relapse or not) were analyzed statistically. Genotyping showed that 46% were double null, 50% were M1null and 93.3% were T1 null for GST mutations. There was no statistically significant relationship between GSTT1 and GSTM1 mutations, or between double null status, prognostic factors and relapse (P > .05). So, although the results of GST mutations were consistent, it seems that these mutations are not statistically significant. PMID:23444902

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of enzymes that conjugate glutathione to a wide variety of both exogenous and endogenous compounds for biotransformation and/or removal. Glutathione S-tranferase omega 1 (GSTO1) is highly expressed in human cancer cells, where it has been suggested to play a role in detoxification of chemotherapeutic agents. Selective inhibitors of GSTO1 are, however, required to test the role that this enzyme plays in cancer and other (patho)physiological processes. With this goal in mind, we performed a fluorescence polarization activity-based protein profiling (fluopol-ABPP) high-throughput screen (HTS) with GSTO1 and the Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR) 300K+ compound library. This screen identified a class of selective and irreversible α-chloroacetamide inhibitors of GSTO1, which were optimized to generate an agent KT53 that inactivates GSTO1 with excellent in vitro (IC(50) = 21 nM) and in situ (IC(50) = 35 nM) potency. Cancer cells treated with KT53 show heightened sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin, supporting a role for GSTO1 in chemotherapy resistance. PMID:21899313

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of enzymes that conjugate glutathione to a wide variety of both exogenous and endogenous compounds for biotransformation and/or removal. Glutathione S-tranferase omega 1 (GSTO1) is highly expressed in human cancer cells, where it has been suggested to play a role in detoxification of chemotherapeutic agents. Selective inhibitors of GSTO1 are, however, required to test the role that this enzyme plays in cancer and other (patho)physiological processes. With this goal in mind, we performed a fluorescence polarization activity-based protein profiling (fluopol-ABPP) high-throughput screen (HTS) with GSTO1 and the Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR) 300K+ compound library. This screen identified a class of selective and irreversible α-chloroacetamide inhibitors of GSTO1, which were optimized to generate an agent KT53 that inactivates GSTO1 with excellent in vitro (IC50 = 21 nM) and in situ (IC50 = 35 nM) potency. Cancer cells treated with KT53 show heightened sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin, supporting a role for GSTO1 in the detoxification of chemo-therapeutic agents PMID:21899313

GSTD1 is one of several insect glutathioneS-transferases capable of metabolizing the insecticide DDT. Here we use crystallography and NMR to elucidate the binding of DDT and glutathione to GSTD1. The crystal structure of Drosophila melanogaster GSTD1 has been determined to 1.1 {angstrom} resolution, which reveals that the enzyme adopts the canonical GST fold but with a partially occluded active site caused by the packing of a C-terminal helix against one wall of the binding site for substrates. This helix would need to unwind or be displaced to enable catalysis. When the C-terminal helix is removed from the model of the crystal structure, DDT can be computationally docked into the active site in an orientation favoring catalysis. Two-dimensional {sup 1}H,{sup 15}N heteronuclear single-quantum coherence NMR experiments of GSTD1 indicate that conformational changes occur upon glutathione and DDT binding and the residues that broaden upon DDT binding support the predicted binding site. We also show that the ancestral GSTD1 is likely to have possessed DDT dehydrochlorinase activity because both GSTD1 from D. melanogaster and its sibling species, Drosophila simulans, have this activity.

Elevated levels of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) play a major role as a mechanism of resistance to insecticides and acaricides in resistant pest insects and mites, respectively. Such compounds are either detoxicated directly via phase I metabolism or detoxicated by phase II metabolism of metabolites as formed by microsomal monooxygenases. Here we used monochlorobimane (MCB) as an artificial substrate and glutathione to determine total GST activity in equivalents of single pest insects and spider mites in a sensitive 96-well plate-based assay system by measuring the enzymatic conversion of MCB to its fluorescent bimane-glutathione adduct. The differentiation by their GST activity between several strains of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), with different degrees of resistance to numerous acaricides was more sensitive with MCB compared to the commonly used substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). Compared to an acaricide-susceptible reference strain, one field population of T. urticae showed a more than 10-fold higher GST activity measured with MCB, in contrast to a less than 2-fold higher activity when CDNB was used. Furthermore, we showed that GST activity can be sensitively assessed with MCB in homogenates of pest insects such as Heliothis virescens, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), and Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). PMID:11950219

The optical biosensor consisting of a glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-immobilized gel film was developed to detect captan in contaminated water. The sensing scheme was based on the decrease of yellow product, s-(2,4-dinitrobenzene) glutathione, produced from substrates, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and glutathione (GSH), due to the inhibition of GST reaction by captan. Absorbance of the product as the output of enzyme reaction was detected and the light was guided through the optical fibers. The enzyme reactor of the sensor system was fabricated by the gel entrapment technique for the immobilized GST film. The immobilized GST had the maximum activity at pH 6.5. The optimal concentrations of substrates were determined with 1 mM for both of CDNB and GSH. The optimum concentration of enzyme was also determined with 100 microg/ml. The activity of immobilized enzyme was fairly sustained during 30 days. The proposed biosensor could successfully detect the captan up to 2 ppm and the response time to steady signal was about 15 min. PMID:12941561

The compound 3-methyleneoxindole (MOI), a photooxidation product of the plant auxin indole-3-acetic acid, functions as an affinity label of the dimeric pi class glutathioneS-transferase (GST) isolated from pig lung. MOI inactivates the enzyme to a limit of 14% activity. The k for inactivation by MOI is decreased 20-fold by S-hexylglutathione but only 2-fold by S-methylglutathione, suggesting that MOI does not react entirely within the glutathione site. The striking protection against inactivation provided by S-(hydroxyethyl)ethacrynic acid indicates that MOI reacts in the active site region involving both the glutathione and the xenobiotic substrate sites. Incorporation of [(3)H]MOI up to approximately 1 mol/mol of enzyme dimer concomitant with maximum inactivation suggests that there are interactions between subunits. Fractionation of the proteolytic digest of [(3)H]MOI-modified GST pi yielded Trp38 as the only labeled amino acid. The crystal structure of the human GST pi-ethacrynic acid complex (2GSS) shows that the indole of Trp38 is less than 4 A from ethacrynic acid. Similarly, MOI may bind in this substrate site. In contrast to its effect on the pi class GST, MOI inactivates much less rapidly and extensively alpha and mu class GSTs isolated from the rat. These results show that MOI reacts preferentially with GST pi. Such a compound may be useful in novel combination chemotherapy to enhance the efficacy of alkylating cancer drugs while minimizing toxic side effects. PMID:11412109

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) traditionally have been studied in plants and other organisms for their ability to detoxify chemically diverse herbicides and other toxic organic compounds. Anthocyanins are among the few endogenous substrates of plant GSTs that have been identified. The Bronze2 (Bz2) gene encodes a type III GST and performs the last genetically defined step of the maize anthocyanin pigment pathway. This step is the conjugation of glutathione to cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G). Glutathionated C3G is transported to the vacuole via a tonoplast Mg-ATP-requiring glutathione pump (GS-X pump). Genetically, the comparable step in the petunia anthocyanin pathway is controlled by the Anthocyanin9 (An9) gene. An9 was cloned by transposon tagging and found to encode a type I plant GST. Bz2 and An9 have evolved independently from distinct types of GSTs, but each is regulated by the conserved transcriptional activators of the anthocyanin pathway. Here, a phylogenetic analysis is presented, with special consideration given to the origin of these genes and their relaxed substrate requirements. In particle bombardment tests, An9 and Bz2 functionally complement both mutants. Among several other GSTs tested, only soybean GmGST26A (previously called GmHsp26A and GH2/4) and maize GSTIII were found to confer vacuolar sequestration of anthocyanin. Previously, these genes had not been associated with the anthocyanin pathway. Requirements for An9 and Bz2 gene function were investigated by sequencing functional and nonfunctional germinal revertants of an9-T3529, bz2::Ds, and bz2::Mu1. PMID:9668133

MIF proteins are mammalian polypeptides of approximately 13,000 molecular weight. This class includes human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a rat liver protein that has glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity (TRANSMIF), and the mouse delayed early response gene 6 (DER6) protein. MIF proteins were previously linked to GSTs by demonstrating transferase activity and observing N-terminal sequence homology with a mu-class GST (Blocki, F.A., Schlievert, P.M., & Wackett, L.P., 1992, Nature 360, 269-270). In this study, MIF proteins are shown to be structurally related to the theta class of GSTs. This is established in three ways. First, unique primary sequence patterns are developed for each of the GST gene classes. The patterns identify the three MIF proteins as theta-like transferase homologs. Second, pattern analysis indicates that GST members of the theta class contain a serine residue in place of the N-terminal tyrosine that is implicated in glutathione deprotonation and activation in GSTs of known structure (Liu, S., et al., 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267, 4296-4299). The MIF proteins contain a threonine at this position. Third, polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant human MIF cross-react on Western blots with rat theta GST but not with alpha and mu GSTs. That MIF proteins have glutathione-binding ability may provide a common structural key toward understanding the varied functions of this widely distributed emerging gene family. Because theta is thought to be the most ancient evolutionary GST class, MIF proteins may have diverged early in evolution but retained a glutathione-binding domain. PMID:8298459

The stability of curcumin, as well as the interactions between curcumin and cytochrome P450s (P450s) and glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) in rat liver, were studied. Curcumin is relatively unstable in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4. The stability of curcumin was strongly improved by lowering the pH or by adding glutathione (GSH), N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid, rat liver microsomes, or rat liver cytosol. Curcumin was found to be a potent inhibitor of rat liver P450 1A1/1A2 measured as ethoxyresorufin deethylation (EROD) activity in beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF)-induced microsomes, a less potent inhibitor of P450 2B1/2B2, measured as pentoxyresorufin depentylation (PROD) activity in phenobarbital (PB)-induced microsomes and a weak inhibitor of P450 2E1, measured as p-nitrophenol (PNP) hydroxylation activity in pyrazole-induced microsomes. Ki values were 0.14 and 76.02 microM for the EROD- and PROD-activities, respectively, and 30 microM of curcumin inhibited only 9% of PNP-hydroxylation activity. In ethoxyresorufin deethylation (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin depentylation (PROD) experiments, curcumin showed a competitive type of inhibition. Curcumin was also a potent inhibitor of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity in cytosol from liver of rats treated with phenobarbital (PB), beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF) and pyrazole (Pyr), when measured towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate. In liver cytosol from rats treated with phenobarbital (PB), curcumin inhibited GST activity in a mixed-type manner with a Ki of 5.75 microM and Ki of 12.5 microM. In liver cytosol from rats treated with pyrazole (Pyr) or beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF), curcumin demonstrated a competitive type of inhibition with Ki values of 1.79 microM and 2.29 microM, respectively. It is concluded that these strong inhibitory properties of curcumin towards P450s and GSTs, in addition to its well-known antioxidant activity, may help explain the previously observed anticarcinogenic

Objective: Animal and in vivo human studies have observed that diabetes alters the expression of hepatic metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) and glutathioneS-transferase (GST) enzymes. The placenta has the ability to metabolize a number of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds by processes similar to those seen in the liver. Our objective was to compare placental xenobiotic metabolizing activity in diabetics to matched non-diabetic controls to determine if the presence of diabetes alters placental xenobiotic metabolizing activity.Methods: The catalytic activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation [EROD] (CYP1A1), chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation (CYP2E1), dextromethorphan N-demethylation (CYP3A4), dextromethorphan O-demethylation (CYP2D6), and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) conjugation with glutathione (GST) from placentas of diet controlled (class A1) and insulin-dependent (class A2) gestational diabetics and overt diabetics were compared to matched controls.Results: No differences in EROD activity were observed among overt or gestational diabetics and their respectively matched controls. CYP2E1, 2D6, and 3A4 enzyme activity were not detected in human placentas. In contrast, GST activity was significantly reduced by 30% (P

Hepatocyte cultures from control rats and rats injected with 3-methylcholanthrene(3-MC) were used to study the effects of antioxidants on the activity of glutathione-S-transferases (GSH-S-T). This group of enzymes catalyzes conjugation of xenobiotics or their metabolites with reduced glutathione and plays an important role in detoxification of xenobiotics. In Experiment 1, treatment of hepatocyte cultures from both control and 3-MC-injected rats with 25 {mu}M or 50 {mu}M butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) for 24 hours or 48 hours significantly increased GSH-S-T activity with I-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as the substrate. In Experiment 2, treatment of hepatocytes from both control and 3-MC-treated rats with 25 {mu}M ethoxyquin or vitamin E, but not vitamin A or ascorbic acid, significantly increased GSH-S-T activity when CDNB, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene or p-nitrobenzyl chloride was used as the substrate, respectively. The results suggested that BHA, ethoxyquin and vitamin E may have detoxification effects against 3-MC-induced carcinogenesis.

Abstract Significance: The family of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) is part of a cellular Phase II detoxification program composed of multiple isozymes with functional human polymorphisms that have the capacity to influence individual response to drugs and environmental stresses. Catalytic activity is expressed through GST dimer-mediated thioether conjugate formation with resultant detoxification of a variety of small molecule electrophiles. Recent Advances: More recent work indicates that in addition to the classic catalytic functions, specific GST isozymes have other characteristics that impact cell survival pathways in ways unrelated to detoxification. These characteristics include the following: regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases; facilitation of the addition of glutathione to cysteine residues in certain proteins (S-glutathionylation); as a novel cellular partner of the human papilloma virus-16 E7 oncoprotein playing a pivotal role in preventing cell death in infected human cells; mitogenic influence in myeloproliferative pathways; participant in the process of cocaine addiction. Critical Issues: Some of these functions have provided a platform for targeting GST with novel small molecule therapeutics, particularly in cancer where evidence of clinical applications is emerging. Future Directions: Our evolving understanding of the GST superfamily and their divergent expression patterns in individuals make them attractive candidates for translational studies in a variety of human pathologies. In addition, their role in regulating cell fate in signaling and cell death pathways has opened up a significant functional complexity that extends well beyond standard detoxification reactions. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 17, 1728–1737. PMID:22540427

Plants have developed mechanisms to defend themselves against many factors including biotic stress such as herbivores and pathogens. GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) is a glutathione-dependent detoxifying enzyme and plays critical roles in stress tolerance and detoxification metabolism in plants. Pinus brutia Ten. is a prominent native forest tree species in Turkey, due to both its economic and ecological assets. One of the problems faced by P. brutia afforestation sites is the attacks by pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams.). In this study, we investigated the changes in activity and mRNA expression of GST in pine samples taken from both resistant and susceptible clones against T. wilkinsoni over a nine month period in a clonal seed orchard. It was found that the average cytosolic GST activities of trees in March and July were significantly higher than the values obtained in November. November was considered to be the control since trees were not under stress yet. In addition, RT-PCR results clearly showed that levels of GST transcripts in March and July samples were significantly higher as compared to the level seen in November. These findings strongly suggest that GST activity from P. brutia would be a valuable marker for exposure to herbivory stress. PMID:27064879

The need to replace or at least to reduce the use of vertebrates in toxicity tests is a timely major concern in research and industry but to date, efforts made to minimize their use are still far from complete. Increasing demands for toxicity tests put considerable pressures upon the development of future fast and efficient test methods using invertebrates. In fact, to date, few studies provide links between biochemical and cellular effects of xeno-estrogens in aquatic invertebrates. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, as a biomarker of stress exposure, was measured in the population of clamworms (Nereis succinea) from Cardiff Bay. In addition, we examined the effect of single exposure to nonylphenol (NP) on this enzymatic activity. Field study results showed a relationship between the worm's size, reproductive status, and GST activity from the field population. In addition, we show a significant increase in the GST activity at 100 μg/L NP with sex-specific responses. The xeno-estrogens, which could affect reproduction of nereid by interfering in normal endocrinological pathways, are eliminated through GST by conjugation with glutathione. This work shows for the first time that GST activity depends on sex and stage of the clamworms and also that the xeno-estrogen NP induces its activity. This study supports the use of this species as a bioindicator of aquatic pollution and lays the foundation to causally link toxic exposure with reproductive output. PMID:20549611

Osteosarcoma is a life-threatening malignancy that often occurs in teenagers. Numerous studies have reported glutathioneS-transferase polymorphisms are associated with osteosarcoma, but the results are inconclusive, partially because the sample size in each of published studies is relatively small. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of the published studies to estimate the association more accurately. To preciously examine the association between the glutathioneS-transferase polymorphisms and osteosarcoma, we undertook a meta-analysis of six case-control studies. The association between the glutathioneS-transferase polymorphisms and osteosarcoma risk was assessed by odds ratios together with their 95% confidence intervals using a fixed-effects model or random-effects model. In addition, hazard ratio was used to measure the relationship between glutathioneS-transferase polymorphisms and prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma. We found that there was significant association between the polymorphisms in GSTT1 or GSTM3 (AA versus BB) and osteosarcoma risk. In addition, there is no evidence of association on GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 (IIe/IIe versus IIe/Val) or GSTP1 (IIe/IIe versus Val/Val) polymorphisms with prognosis in osteosarcoma. In conclusion, the GSTT1 and GSTM3 polymorphisms might influence osteosarcoma risk. PMID:24689813

Background: The Glutathione-S-Transferase Mu 1 null genotype has been reported to be a risk factor for acute respiratory disease associated with increases in ambient air ozone. Ozone is known to cause an immediate decrease in lung function and increased airway inflammation. Howev...

The effects of in vivo administration of six hypolipidemic drugs on rat liver glutathioneS-transferase activity were compared. This activity was measured with sulfobromophthalein (BSP), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) or 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate. Except for the nicotinic acid derivative ethanolamine oxiniacate, all the compounds tested significantly reduced it, whether or not they were related to clofibrate. The hepatic glutathione concentration either remained unchanged or only increased slightly after treatment with the various drugs. When measured, the maximal excretion rate of bile BSP dropped significantly, but not that of phenol-3,6-dibromophthalein (DBSP). Hepatic dye uptake and storage were not impaired. These results show that hypolipidemic drugs of the peroxisome proliferator type inhibit rat liver glutathioneS-transferase activity and may reduce transport of anions conjugated with glutathione before excretion. PMID:3707598

The apparent oral clearance of busulfan has been observed to vary as much as 10-fold in the population of children and adults receiving high-dose busulfan. The only identified elimination pathway for busulfan involves glutathione conjugation. The reaction is predominantly catalyzed by glutathioneS-transferase (GST) A1-1, which is present in both liver and intestine. The purpose of this study was to compare busulfan Vmax/Km in cytosol prepared from adult human liver and small intestine. Tetrahydrothiophenium ion formation rate per milligram of cytosolic protein was constant along the length (assessed in 30-cm segments) of three individual small intestines. A 30-cm-long intestinal segment 90-180 cm from the pylorus was chosen to be representative of intestinal cytosolic busulfan conjugating activity. Busulfan Vmax/Km (mean +/- SD) in cytosol prepared from 23 livers and 12 small intestines was 0.166 +/- 0.066 and 0.176 +/- 0.085 microl/min/mg cytosolic protein, respectively, in incubations with 5 microM busulfan, 1 mM glutathione, and 2 mg of cytosolic protein. The relative content of GSTalpha (A1-1, A1-2, and A2-2) was compared for human liver and intestinal cytosol using Western blot. The levels of GSTalpha in liver and intestinal cytosol were 1.12 +/- 0.56 and 1.36 +/- 0.32 integrated optimal density units/5 microg cytosolic protein, respectively. Busulfan conjugation in vitro was comparable per milligram of cytosolic protein in liver and intestinal cytosol. PMID:9443852

The mitochondrial respiratory chain, which consumes approx. 85-90% of the oxygen utilized by cells, is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial genetic and biosynthetic systems are highly susceptible to ROS toxicity. Intramitochondrial glutathione (GSH) is a major defence against ROS. In the present study, we have investigated the nature of the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) pool in mouse liver mitochondria, and have purified three distinct forms of GST: GSTA1-1 and GSTA4-4 of the Alpha family, and GSTM1-1 belonging to the Mu family. The mitochondrial localization of these multiple GSTs was confirmed using a combination of immunoblot analysis, protease protection assay, enzyme activity, N-terminal amino acid sequencing, peptide mapping and confocal immunofluorescence analysis. Additionally, exogenously added 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a reactive byproduct of lipid peroxidation, to COS cells differentially affected the cytosolic and mitochondrial GSH pools in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Our results show that HNE-mediated mitochondrial oxidative stress caused a decrease in the GSH pool, increased membrane lipid peroxidation, and increased levels of GSTs, glutathione peroxidase and Hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70). The HNE-induced oxidative stress persisted for longer in the mitochondrial compartment, where the recovery of GSH pool was slower than in the cytosolic compartment. Our study, for the first time, demonstrates the presence in mitochondria of multiple forms of GSTs that show molecular properties similar to those of their cytosolic counterparts. Our results suggest that mitochondrial GSTs may play an important role in defence against chemical and oxidative stress. PMID:12020353

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus is a bloodsucking ectoparasite that causes severe production losses in the cattle industry. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro effects of tannic acid, hematin (GST inhibitors) and different plant extracts (rich in tannic acid) on the activity of the recombinant glutathioneS-transferase enzyme of the Egyptian cattle tick R. annulatus (rRaGST), in order to confirm their ability to inhibit the parasitic essential detoxification enzyme glutathioneS-transferase. Extraction with 70% ethanol of Hibiscus cannabinus (kenaf flowers), Punica granatum (red and white pomegranate peel), Musa acuminata (banana peel) (Musaceae), Medicago sativa (alfalfa seeds), Tamarindus indicus (seed) and Cuminum cyminum (cumin seed) were used to assess: (i) inhibitory capacities of rRaGST and (ii) their phenolic and flavonoid contents. Ethanol extraction of red pomegranate peel contained the highest content of phenolic compounds (29.95mg gallic acid/g dry tissue) compared to the other studied plant extracts. The highest inhibition activities of rRaGST were obtained with kenaf and red pomegranate peel (P. granatum) extracts with IC50 values of 0.123 and 0.136mg dry tissue/ml, respectively. Tannic acid was the more effective inhibitor of rRaGST with an IC50 value equal to 4.57μM compared to delphinidine-HCl (IC50=14.9±3.1μM). Gossypol had a weak inhibitory effect (IC50=43.7μM), and caffeic acid had almost no effect on tick GST activity. The IC50 values qualify ethacrynic acid as a potent inhibitor of rRaGST activity (IC50=0.034μM). Cibacron blue and hematin showed a considerable inhibition effect on rRaGST activity, and their IC50 values were 0.13μM and 7.5μM, respectively. The activity of rRaGST was highest for CDNB (30.2μmol/min/mg protein). The enzyme had also a peroxidatic activity (the specific activity equals 26.5μmol/min/mg protein). Both tannic acid and hematin inhibited rRaGST activity non-competitively with respect to GSH and

GlutathioneS-transferase enzyme (GST) (EC 2.5.1.18) was purified from rainbow trout erythrocytes, and some characteristics of the enzyme and effects of some metal ions on enzyme activity were investigated. For this purpose, erythrocyte glutathioneS-transferase enzyme which has 16.54 EU/mg protein specific activities was purified 11,026-fold by glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography with a yield of 59%. Temperature was kept under control (+4°C) during purification. Enzyme purification was checked by performing SDS-PAGE. Optimal pH, stable pH, optimal temperature, and K(M) and Vmax values for GSH and 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) were also determined for the enzyme. In addition, IC50 values, Ki constants and the type of inhibition were determined by means of Line-Weaver-Burk graphs obtained for such inhibitors as Ag(+); Cd(2+), Cr(2+) and Mg(2+). PMID:23057421

Busulfan (1,4-dimethanesulfonate butanediol) is a bifunctional alkylating agent used in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia. The major urinary metabolite of busulfan in mammals is 3-hydroxytetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide (3-HOTHT). Previous metabolic studies with /sup 35/S-busulfan indicated that the sulfur in 3-HOTHT results from the reaction of busulfan with endogenous thiols. These studies also found that mixing L-cysteine with busulfan at pH 8.0 produced a tetrahydrothiophenium-cysteine conjugate (THT-cys). Treatment of THT-cys with sodium hydroxide produced tetrahydrothiophene (THT). Administration of THT-cyc or THT to rats resulted in the appearance of 3-HOTHT in rat urine. Glutathione (GSH) is the major non-protein thiol in cells. As part of the present studies, the reaction between GSH and busulfan was examined.

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are an important family of multifunctional enzymes in aerobic organisms. They play a crucial role in the detoxification of exogenous compounds, especially insecticides, and protection against oxidative stress. Most previous studies of GSTs in insects have largely focused on their role in insecticide resistance. Here, we isolated a theta class GST gene designated AccGSTT1 from Apis cerana cerana and aimed to explore its antioxidant and antibacterial attributes. Analyses of homology and phylogenetic relationships suggested that the predicted amino acid sequence of AccGSTT1 shares a high level of identity with the other hymenopteran GSTs and that it was conserved during evolution. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that AccGSTT1 is most highly expressed in adult stages and that the expression profile of this gene is significantly altered in response to various abiotic stresses. These results were confirmed using western blot analysis. Additionally, a disc diffusion assay showed that a recombinant AccGSTT1 protein may be roughly capable of inhibiting bacterial growth and that it reduces the resistance of Escherichia coli cells to multiple adverse stresses. Taken together, these data indicate that AccGSTT1 may play an important role in antioxidant processes under adverse stress conditions. PMID:27126403

The major glutathioneS-transferase isoenzyme from bovine brain was isolated and purified approx. 500-fold. The enzyme has a pI of 7.39 +/- 0.02 and consists of two non-identical subunits having apparent Mr values of 22,000 and 24,000. The enzyme is uniformly distributed in brain, and kinetic data at pH 6.5 with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate suggest a random rapid-equilibrium mechanism. The kinetics of inhibition by product, by GSH analogues and by NADH are consistent with the suggested mechanism and require inhibitor binding to several different enzyme forms. Long-chain fatty acids are excellent inhibitors of the enzyme, and values of 1nKi for hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid and lauric acid form a linear series when plotted as a function of alkyl chain length. A free-energy change of -1900 J/mol (-455 cal/mol) per CH2 unit is calculated for the contribution of hydrophobic binding energy to the inhibition constants. The turnover number of the purified enzyme dimer is approx. 3400/min. When compared with the second-order rate constant for the reaction between CDNB and GSH, the enzyme is providing a rate acceleration of about 1000-fold. The role of entropic contributions to this small rate acceleration is discussed. PMID:2930465

Resistance to chemotherapy represents one of the most important causes of treatment failure in patients with ovarian cancer. Common polymorphisms in the glutathione-S-transferase (GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1) family have been implicated in chemoresistence and ovarian cancer survival. In this study, we have analysed Australian women diagnosed with primary invasive epithelial ovarian cancer between 1985 and 1997, using DNA extracted from peripheral blood and archival uninvolved (normal) tissues. GSTP1 genotypes were determined using ABI Prism 7700 Sequence Detection System methodology (n=448) and GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes using PCR-agarose methodology (n=239). We observed a significant survival advantage among carriers of GSTP1 Ile105Val GG/GA genotype (HR 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61-0.99,p=0.04) and a non-significant survival advantage among women who were homozygous for the GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion variants. There was also evidence of an additive effect, with a stronger survival benefit in women carrying three low function GST genotypes (GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null and GSTP1 GA/GG) (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.22-1.02). The results of this study, the largest to date, are consistent with a number of previous smaller studies which have also observed that reduced GST function was associated with better survival outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer. PMID:17084623

Resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle for successful treatment of breast cancer patients. Given that prolactin (PRL) acts as an anti-apoptotic/survival factor in the breast, we postulated that it antagonizes cytotoxicity by chemotherapeutic drugs. Treatment of breast cancer cells with PRL caused variable resistance to taxol, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin. PRL prevented cisplatin-induced G(2)/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In the presence of PRL, significantly less cisplatin was bound to DNA, as determined by mass spectroscopy, and little DNA damage was seen by gamma-H2AX staining. PRL dramatically increased the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), which sequesters cisplatin in the cytoplasm; this increase was abrogated by Jak and mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors. PRL upregulated the expression of the GSTmu, but not the pi, isozyme. A GST inhibitor abrogated antagonism of cisplatin cytotoxicity by PRL. In conclusion, PRL confers resistance against cisplatin by activating a detoxification enzyme, thereby reducing drug entry into the nucleus. These data provide a rational explanation for the ineffectiveness of cisplatin in breast cancer, which is characterized by high expression of both PRL and its receptor. Suppression of PRL production or blockade of its actions should benefit patients undergoing chemotherapy by allowing for lower drug doses and expanded drug options. PMID:19443905

Protein self-assembly into exquisite, complex, yet highly ordered architectures represents the supreme wisdom of nature. However, precise manipulation of protein self-assembly behavior in vitro is a great challenge. Here we report that by taking advantage of the cooperation of metal-ion-chelating interactions and nonspecific protein-protein interactions, we achieved accurate control of the orientation of proteins and their self-assembly into protein nanorings. As a building block, we utilized the C2-symmetric protein sjGST-2His, a variant of glutathioneS-transferase from Schistosoma japonicum having two properly oriented His metal-chelating sites on the surface. Through synergic metal-coordination and non-covalent interactions, sjGST-2His self-assembled in a fixed bending manner to form highly ordered protein nanorings. The diameters of the nanorings can be regulated by tuning the strength of the non-covalent interaction network between sjGST-2His interfaces through variation of the ionic strength of the solution. This work provides a de novo design strategy that can be applied in the construction of novel protein superstructures. PMID:23865524

GlutathioneS-transferases (EC.2.5.1.18, GSTs) were purified from rat liver by S-hexylglutathione affinity chromatography and six isoforms, namely C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, A-2 and A-1, were isolated by CM-cellulose and DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange columns. Tannic acid and butein showed varying degrees of inhibition on the six individual GST isoforms. When 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was used as a substrate, butein exerted significantly more potent inhibition on the cationic isoforms C-2, C-3 and C-4 with IC50 values of 6.8, 8.5 and 8.0 muM respectively. All the isoforms showed lower activity towards p-nitrobenzyt chloride when compared to CDNB and inhibition of the p-nitrobenzyl chloride-activity by tannic acid and butein was also weaker. The inhibitory effects of tannic acid and butein on each isoform decreased generally with increasing pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0. The optimum pHs for inhibitions by tannic acid and butein on the six individual isoforms lie in the pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. PMID:19856286

Azathioprine (AZA), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and 6-thioguanine (6-TG) are antimetabolite drugs, widely used as immunosuppressants and anticancer agents. Despite their proven efficacy, a high incidence of toxic effects in patients during standard-dose therapy is recorded. The aim of this study is to explain, from a mechanistic point of view, the clinical evidence showing a significant role of glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-M1 genotype on AZA toxicity in inflammatory bowel disease patients. To this aim, the human nontumor IHH and HCEC cell lines were chosen as predictive models of the hepatic and intestinal tissues, respectively. AZA, but not 6-MP and 6-TG, induced a concentration-dependent superoxide anion production that seemed dependent on GSH depletion. N-Acetylcysteine reduced the AZA antiproliferative effect in both cell lines, and GST-M1 overexpression increased both superoxide anion production and cytotoxicity, especially in transfected HCEC cells. In this study, an in vitro model to study thiopurines' metabolism has been set up and helped us to demonstrate, for the first time, a clear role of GST-M1 in modulating AZA cytotoxicity, with a close dependency on superoxide anion production. These results provide the molecular basis to shed light on the clinical evidence suggesting a role of GST-M1 genotype in influencing the toxic effects of AZA treatment. PMID:25928802

We have previously reported that Trichinella spiralis glutathione-S-transferase (TsGST) gene is an up-regulated gene in intestinal infective larvae (IIL) compared to muscle larvae (ML). In this study, the TsGST gene was cloned, and recombinant TsGST (rTsGST) was produced. Anti-rTsGST serum recognized the native TsGST by Western blotting in crude antigens of ML, adult worm (AW) and newborn larvae (NBL) of T. spiralis, but not in ML excretory-secretory (ES) antigens. Expression of TsGST was observed in all different developmental stages (IIL, AW, NBL and ML). An immunolocalization analysis identified TsGST in the cuticle, stichosome and genital primordium of the parasite. The rTsGST had GST enzymatic activity. After a challenge infection with T. spiralis larvae, mice immunized with rTsGST displayed a 35.71% reduction in adult worms and a 38.55% reduction in muscle larvae. The vaccination of mice with rTsGST induced the Th1/Th2-mixed type of immune response with Th2 predominant (high levels of IgG1) and partial protective immunity against T. spiralis infection. PMID:25757368

Background: Isothiocyanates, compounds found primarily in cruciferous vegetables, have been shown in laboratory studies to possess anticarcinogenic activity. GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the metabolism and elimination of isothiocyanates; thus, genetic variations in these enzymes may affect in vivo bioavailability and the activity of isothiocyanates. Objective: The objective was to prospectively evaluate the association between urinary isothiocyanate concentrations and colorectal cancer risk as well as the potential modifying effect of GST genotypes on the association. Design: A nested case-control study of 322 cases and 1251 controls identified from the Shanghai Women's Health Study was conducted. Results: Urinary isothiocyanate concentrations were inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk; the inverse association was statistically significant or nearly significant in the GSTM1-null (P for trend = 0.04) and the GSTT1-null (P for trend = 0.07) genotype groups. The strongest inverse association was found among individuals with both the GSTM1-null and the GSTT1-null genotypes, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.51 (95% CI: 0.27, 0.95), in a comparison of the highest with the lowest tertile of urinary isothiocyanates. No apparent associations between isothiocyanate concentration and colorectal cancer risk were found among individuals who carried either the GSTM1 or GSTT1 gene (P for interaction < 0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that isothiocyanate exposure may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, and this protective effect may be modified by the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes. PMID:20042523

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are an important family of multifunctional enzymes in aerobic organisms. They play a crucial role in the detoxification of exogenous compounds, especially insecticides, and protection against oxidative stress. Most previous studies of GSTs in insects have largely focused on their role in insecticide resistance. Here, we isolated a theta class GST gene designated AccGSTT1 from Apis cerana cerana and aimed to explore its antioxidant and antibacterial attributes. Analyses of homology and phylogenetic relationships suggested that the predicted amino acid sequence of AccGSTT1 shares a high level of identity with the other hymenopteran GSTs and that it was conserved during evolution. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that AccGSTT1 is most highly expressed in adult stages and that the expression profile of this gene is significantly altered in response to various abiotic stresses. These results were confirmed using western blot analysis. Additionally, a disc diffusion assay showed that a recombinant AccGSTT1 protein may be roughly capable of inhibiting bacterial growth and that it reduces the resistance of Escherichia coli cells to multiple adverse stresses. Taken together, these data indicate that AccGSTT1 may play an important role in antioxidant processes under adverse stress conditions.

The activity of chemical carcinogens is a complex balance between metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and detoxification by enzymes such as glutathioneS-transferase (GST). Regulation of these proteins may have profound effects on carcinogenic activity, although it has proved impossible to ascribe the observed effects to the activity of a single protein. GstP appears to play a very important role in carcinogenesis, although the precise nature of its involvement is unclear. We have deleted the murine GstP gene cluster and established the effects on skin tumorigenesis induced by the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 7,12-dimethylbenz anthracene and the tumor promoting agent 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. After 20 weeks, a highly significant increase in the number of papillomas was found in the GstP1/P2 null mice [GstP1/P2(−/−) mice, 179 papillomas, mean 9.94 per animal vs. GstP1/P2(+/+) mice, 55 papillomas, mean 2.89 per animal, (P < 0.001)]. This difference in tumor incidence provides direct evidence that a single gene involved in drug metabolism can have a profound effect on tumorigenicity, and demonstrates that GstP may be an important determinant in cancer susceptibility, particularly in diseases where exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is involved, for instance in cigarette smoke-induced lung cancer. PMID:9560266

The glutathioneS-transferase (GST) family represents a major group of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes. Studies have shown that high oxidative stress levels are associated with varicocele. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms and varicocele using a study group of 497 varicocele patients and 476 control subjects. A systematic literature search (for articles published up to September 2014) utilizing Google Scholar and PubMed was conducted. The chi-square-based Q test and I(2) index were used to evaluate data from retrieved studies. The possible publication bias was evaluated by Begg funnel plot and the Egger test. No statistically significant association was found between GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotypes and varicocele in the overall data analysis. In a subgroup analysis, only the null GSTM1 genotype was observed at a significantly higher frequency in Caucasian varicocele patients. In the Chinese subgroup, no association was established between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes and this condition. More attention should be drawn to oxidative stress-related pathological manifestations for Caucasian varicocele patients. PMID:26782535

GlutathioneS-transferases (GST) play an important role in the detoxification of many substances including allelochemicals from plants. Brassicaceae plants contain glucosinolates and emit volatile isothiocyanates which affect the GST system. A comparison of the GST of two aphid species, the generalist Aulacorthum solani found on Brassicaceae and the Fabaceae specialist Acyrthosiphon pisum, was made to try to explain their respective feeding behaviour. Differences of GST were determined among the two aphid species based on purification by affinity chromatography, SDS-PAGE and on kinetic studies. Purification yields using an epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B column were highly different for the two aphid species (18% and 34% for A. solani and A. pisum, respectively). These variations were confirmed by SDS-PAGE. While only a 27-kDa band was observed for A. pisum, two bands of approximately 25-kDa were visualized for the generalist aphid, A. solani. Considering the kinetic results, differences of Km and Vmax were observed following the aphid species when a range of substrates (CDNB and DCNB) and GSH concentrations were tested. Studies on the detoxification enzymes of generalist and specialist herbivores would be undertaken to determine accurately the effect of the host plant on the organisms eating them, particularly in terms of biochemical and ecological advantages. PMID:11337260

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is a neurodegenerative and incurable hereditary disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion mutation on ATXN2 gene. The identification of reliable biochemical markers of disease severity is of paramount significance for the development and assessment of clinical trials. In order to evaluate the potential use of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity as a biomarker for SCA2, a case-control study in 38 affected, presymptomatic individuals or healthy controls was conducted. An enlarged sample of 121 affected individuals was set to assess the impact of GST activity on SCA2 clinical expression. There was a significant increase in GST activity in affected individuals relative to controls, although sensibility and specificity were not high. GST activity was not significantly influenced by sex, age, disease duration or CAG repeat size and did not significantly influence disease severity markers. These findings show a disruption of in vivo GST activity in SCA2, suggesting a role for oxidative stress in the neurodegenerative process. PMID:24780439

Background: Endometriosis influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Associations of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) genes polymorphisms in endometriosis have been investigated by various researchers; however, the results are not consistent. Objective: We examined the associations of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes and GSTP1 313 A/G polymorphisms with endometriosis in an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 151 women with diagnosis of endometriosis and 156 normal healthy women as control group were included. The genotyping was determined using multiplex PCR and PCR- RFLP methods. Results: The GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher (p=0.027) in the cases (7.3%) than the control group (1.3%). There was no significant difference between the frequency of GSTT1 genotypes between the cases and controls. The GSTP1 313 AG genotype was significantly lower (p=0.048) in the case (33.1%) than the control group (44.4%). Conclusion: Our results showed that GSTM1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms may be associated with susceptibility of endometriosis in Iranian women. PMID:27351025

The availability of highly sensitive substrates is critical for the development of precise and rapid assays for detecting changes in glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity that are associated with GST-mediated metabolism of insecticides. In this study, six pyrethroid-like compounds were synthesized and characterized as substrates for insect and mammalian GSTs. All of the substrates were esters composed of the same alcohol moiety, 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, and acid moieties that structurally mimic some commonly used pyrethroid insecticides including cypermethrin and cyhalothrin. CpGSTD1, a recombinant Delta class GST from the mosquito Culex pipiens, metabolized our pyrethroid-like substrates with both chemical and geometric (i.e., the cis-isomers were metabolized at 2- to 5-fold higher rates than the corresponding trans-isomers) preference. A GST preparation from mouse liver also metabolized most of our pyrethroid-like substrates with both chemical and geometric preference but at 10- to 170-fold lower rates. CpGSTD1 and mouse GSTs metabolized CDNB, a general GST substrate, at more than 200-fold higher rates than our novel pyrethroid-like substrates. There was a 10-fold difference in the specificity constant (kcat/KM ratio) of CpGSTD1 for CDNB and those of CpGSTD1 for cis-DCVC and cis-TFMCVC suggesting that cis-DCVC and cis-TFMCVC may be useful for the detection of GST-based metabolism of pyrethroids in mosquitoes. PMID:23000005

Elevated oxidative stress in mitochondria and mitochondrial dysfunction are associated with weight gain in schizophrenia (SCZ) patients. GlutathioneS-transferase kappa 1 (GSTK1) protects cells against exogenous and endogenous oxidative stress in the mitochondria. This exploratory study investigated the possible effects of a common GSTK1 polymorphism (rs1917760, G-1308T) on the risk for overweight status among 329 SCZ patients and 305 age- and gender-matched controls and on the GSTK1 mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells among 14 SCZ patients. The GSTK1 T/T genotype was associated with having a higher BMI value among SCZ male patients, whereas this genotype tended to be associated with a lower BMI value among female patients. Conversely, these associations were not observed among the controls. The GSTK1 T/T genotype was associated with decreased GSTK1 mRNA level among SCZ patients. The GSTK1 T/T genotype may be a novel risk factor for the prediction of overweight status in SCZ male patients, although the results of this pilot study should be verified by a larger study. PMID:27010189

GlutathioneS-transferase pi has been shown to reactivate 1-cysteine peroxiredoxin (1-Cys Prx) by formation of a complex. A model of the complex was proposed based on the crystal structures of the two enzymes. We have now characterized the complex of GST pi/1-Cys Prx by determining the Mw of the complex, by measuring the catalytic activity of the GST pi monomer, and by identifying the interaction sites between GST pi and 1-Cys Prx. The Mw of the purified GST pi/1-Cys Prx complex is 50,200 at pH 8.0 in the presence of 2.5 mM glutathione, as measured by light scattering, providing direct evidence that the active complex is a heterodimer composed of equimolar amounts of the two proteins. In the presence of 4 M KBr, GST pi is dissociated to monomer and retains catalytic activity, but the Km value for GSH is increased substantially. To identify the peptides of GST pi that interact with 1-Cys Prx, GST pi was digested with V8 protease and the peptides were purified. The binding by 1-Cys Prx of each of four pure GST pi peptides (residues 41–85, 115–124, 131–163, and 164–197) was investigated by protein fluorescence titration. An apparent stoichiometry of 1 mol/subunit 1-Cys Prx was measured for each peptide and the formation of the heterodimer is decreased when these peptides are included in the incubation mixture. These results support our proposed model of the heterodimer. PMID:18358825

Busulfan is eliminated by glutathioneS-transferase (GST)-catalyzed conjugation with glutathione (GSH). We have characterized the busulfan-conjugating activity of purified human liver GSTA1-1, GSTA1-2, GSTA2-2, GSTM1-1, and placental GSTP1-1. Isoforms were purified from cytosol by GSH-affinity chromatography and chromatofocusing. In addition, the busulfan-conjugating activity of cDNA-expressed GTH1 and GTH2, corresponding to GSTA1-1 and GSTA2-2, were characterized. The major product of busulfan conjugation, a thiophenium ion (THT+), was assayed by GC/MS after conversion to tetrahydrothiophene (THT). THT+ formation rate increased linearly with busulfan concentration up to its solubility limit for all GST isoforms. Because Vmax and KM could not be determined separately, the slope of the velocity vs. substrate concentration plot, Vmax/KM was used to compare isoform activities. Vmax/KM for GSTA1-1 was 7.95 microliters/min/mg protein, the highest busulfan-conjugating activity of all human liver and placenta isoforms evaluated. GSTM1-1 and GSTP1-1, respectively, had 46% and 18% of the activity of GSTA1-1. Since the polymorphic mu-class GST catalyzed busulfan conjugation, we examined busulfan clearance in 50 patients undergoing high-dose busulfan before bone marrow transplantation. Busulfan clearance was normally distributed, suggesting that GSTM1-1 does not contribute significantly to the elimination of busulfan from the body. We conclude that GSTA1-1 is the major isoform catalyzing busulfan conjugation, whereas GSTM1-1 and GSTP1-1 may be important in the protection of specific cells. PMID:8886613

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a toxic aldehyde generated during lipid peroxidation and has been implicated in a variety of pathological states associated with oxidative stress. GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) A4-4 is recognized as one of the predominant enzymes responsible for the metabolism of HNE. However, substrate and product stereoselectivity remain to be fully explored. The results from a product formation assay indicate that hGSTA4-4 exhibits a modest preference for the biotransformation of S-HNE in the presence of both enantiomers. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analyses using the racemic and enantioisomeric HNE substrates explicitly demonstrate that hGSTA4-4 conjugates glutathione to both HNE enantiomers in a completely stereoselective manner that is not maintained in the spontaneous reaction. Compared with other hGST isoforms, hGSTA4-4 shows the highest degree of stereoselectivity. NMR experiments in combination with simulated annealing structure determinations enabled the determination of stereochemical configurations for the GSHNE diastereomers and are consistent with an hGSTA4-4-catalyzed nucleophilic attack that produces only the S-configuration at the site of conjugation, regardless of substrate chirality. In total these results indicate that hGSTA4-4 exhibits an intriguing combination of low substrate stereoselectivity with strict product stereoselectivity. This behavior allows for the detoxification of both HNE enantiomers while generating only a select set of GSHNE diastereomers with potential stereochemical implications concerning their effects and fates in biological tissues. PMID:18424441

Several novel naturally occurring flavonoids and other polyphenols exerted varying degrees of concentration-dependent inhibition on uncharacterized rat liver glutathioneS-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18, GST) isoforms. The order of inhibitory potencies of the five most potent polyphenols was tannic acid > 2-hydroxyl chalcone > butein > morin > quercetin, and their IC50 values were 1.044, 6.758, 9.033, 13.710 and 18.732 microM, respectively. Their inhibitions were reversible, as indicated by dialysis experiments. The optimum pH for the inhibitions by four of the compounds (tannic acid, butein, 2-hydroxyl chalcone and morin) was in the range of pH 6.0 to 6.5, but for quercetin the optimum pH was 8.0. These potent inhibitors possess one or more of the following chemical structural features: (a) polyhydroxylation substitutions, (b) absence of a sugar moiety, (c) for the chalcones, the presence of an open C-ring and hydroxylation at either the C-2 or C-3 position, (d) for the flavonoids, the attachment of the B-ring to C-2, and (e) a double bond between C-2 and C-3. Butein exhibited a non-competitive inhibition toward both glutathione (GSH) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). Interestingly, tannic acid showed a non-competitive inhibition toward CDNB but a competitive inhibition toward GSH. The inhibitory potency of tannic acid on rat liver GSTs was concentration and substrate dependent. Using CDNB, p-nitrobenzyl chloride, 4-nitropyridine-N-oxide, and ethacrynic acid as substrates, the IC50 values for tannic acid were 1.044, 11.151, 20.206, and 57.664 microM, respectively. PMID:8010991

The olfactory epithelium is exposed to a variety of xenobiotic chemicals, including odorants and airborne toxic compounds. Recently, two novel, highly abundant, olfactory-specific biotransformation enzymes have been identified: cytochrome P-450olf1 and olfactory UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT(olf)). The latter is a phase II biotransformation enzyme which catalyses the glucuronidation of alcohols, thiols, amines and carboxylic acids. Such covalent modification, which markedly affects lipid solubility and agonist potency, may be particularly important in the rapid termination of odorant signals. We report here the identification and characterization of a second olfactory phase II biotransformation enzyme, a glutathioneS-transferase (GST). The olfactory epithelial cytosol shows the highest GST activity among the extrahepatic tissues examined. Significantly, olfactory epithelium had an activity 4-7 times higher than in other airway tissues, suggesting a role for this enzyme in chemoreception. The olfactory GST has been affinity-purified to homogeneity, and shown by h.p.l.c. and N-terminal amino acid sequencing to constitute mainly the Yb1 and Yb2 subunits, different from most other tissues that have mixtures of more enzyme classes. The identity of the olfactory enzymes was confirmed by PCR cloning and restriction enzyme analysis. Most importantly, the olfactory GSTs were found to catalyse glutathione conjugation of several odorant classes, including many unsaturated aldehydes and ketones, as well as epoxides. Together with UGT(olf), olfactory GST provides the necessary broad coverage of covalent modification capacity, which may be crucial for the acuity of the olfactory process. Images Figure 1 Figure 4 Figure 5 PMID:8503873

The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is one of the most important agricultural pests world-wide. It is extremely polyphagous and develops resistance to acaricides. The overexpression of several glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) has been associated with insecticide resistance. Here, we functionally expressed and characterized three GSTs, two of the delta class (TuGSTd10, TuGSTd14) and one of the mu class (TuGSTm09), which had been previously associated with striking resistance phenotypes against abamectin and other acaricides/insecticides, by transcriptional studies. Functional analysis showed that all three GSTs were capable of catalyzing the conjugation of both 1-chloro-2,4 dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene(DCNB) to glutathione (GSH), as well as exhibiting GSH-dependent peroxidase activity toward Cumene hydroperoxide (CumOOH). The steady-state kinetics of the T. urticae GSTs for the GSH/CDNB conjugation reaction were determined and compared with other GSTs. The interaction of the three recombinant proteins with several acaricides and insecticides was also investigated. TuGSTd14 showed the highest affinity toward abamectin and a competitive type of inhibition, which suggests that the insecticide may bind to the H-site of the enzyme. The three-dimensional structure of the TuGSTd14 was predicted based on X-ray structures of delta class GSTs using molecular modeling. Structural analysis was used to identify key structural characteristics and to provide insights into the substrate specificity and the catalytic mechanism of TuGSTd14. PMID:26047112

Rationale Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) results in the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals and the accumulation of lipid peroxidation-derived unsaturated aldehydes. However, the contribution of aldehydes to myocardial I/R injury has not been assessed. Objective We tested the hypothesis that removal of aldehydes by glutathioneS-transferase P (GSTP) diminishes I/R injury. Methods and Results In adult male C57BL/6 mouse hearts, Gstp1/2 was the most abundant GST transcript followed by Gsta4 and Gstm4.1, and GSTP activity was a significant fraction of the total GST activity. mGstp1/2 deletion reduced total GST activity, but no compensatory increase in GSTA and GSTM or major antioxidant enzymes was observed. Genetic deficiency of GSTP did not alter cardiac function, but in comparison with hearts from wild-type (WT) mice, the hearts isolated from GSTP-null mice were more sensitive to I/R injury. Disruption of the GSTP gene also increased infarct size after coronary occlusion in situ. Ischemia significantly increased acrolein in hearts, and GSTP deficiency induced significant deficits in the metabolism of the unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein, but not in the metabolism 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) or trans-2-hexanal; and, upon ischemia, the GSTP-null hearts accumulated more acrolein-modified proteins than WT hearts. GSTP-deficiency did not affect I/R-induced free radical generation, JNK activation or depletion of reduced glutathione. Acrolein-exposure induced a hyperpolarizing shift in INa, and acrolein-induced cell death was delayed by SN-6, a Na+/Ca++ exchange inhibitor. Cardiomyocytes isolated from GSTP-null hearts were more sensitive than WT myocytes to acrolein-induced protein crosslinking and cell death. Conclusions GSTP protects the heart from I/R injury by facilitating the detoxification of cytotoxic aldehydes such as acrolein. PMID:26169370

Introduction GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) is a xenobiotic metabolising enzyme (XME), which may modify susceptibility in certain ethnic groups, showing ethnic dependent polymorphism. The aim of this study was to determine GSTM1, GSTM3 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms in a Malaysian population in Kuala Lumpur. Material and methods Blood or buccal swab samples were collected from 137 Form II students from three schools in Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results Glutathione-S-transferase GSTM3 gene frequencies were 89% for AA, 10% for AB and 1% for BB. The gene frequencies for deleted GSTM1 and GSTT1 were 66% and 18% respectively. Conclusions This study suggested that the Malay population is at risk for environmental diseases and provides the basis for gene-environment association studies to be carried out. PMID:22291790

High-dose chemotherapy regimens using cyclophosphamide (CY) are frequently associated with cardiotoxicity that could lead to myocyte damage and congestive heart failure. However, the mechanisms regulating the cardiotoxic effects of CY remain unclear. Because CY is converted to an unsaturated aldehyde acrolein, a toxic, reactive CY metabolite that induces extensive protein modification and myocardial injury, we examined the role of glutathioneS-transferase P (GSTP), an acrolein-metabolizing enzyme, in CY cardiotoxicity in wild-type (WT) and GSTP-null mice. Treatment with CY (100–300 mg/kg) increased plasma levels of creatine kinase-MB isoform (CK·MB) and heart-to-body weight ratio to a significantly greater extent in GSTP-null than WT mice. In addition to modest yet significant echocardiographic changes following acute CY-treatment, GSTP insufficiency was associated with greater phosphorylation of c-Jun and p38 as well as greater accumulation of albumin and protein–acrolein adducts in the heart. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed likely prominent modification of albumin, kallikrein-1-related peptidase, myoglobin and transgelin-2 by acrolein in the hearts of CY-treated mice. Treatment with acrolein (low dose, 1–5 mg/kg) also led to increased heart-to-body weight ratio and myocardial contractility changes. Acrolein induced similar hypotension in GSTP-null and WT mice. GSTP-null mice also were more susceptible than WT mice to mortality associated with high-dose acrolein (10–20 mg/kg). Collectively, these results suggest that CY cardiotoxicity is regulated, in part, by GSTP, which prevents CY toxicity by detoxifying acrolein. Thus, humans with low cardiac GSTP levels or polymorphic forms of GSTP with low acrolein-metabolizing capacity may be more sensitive to CY toxicity. - Graphical abstract: Cyclophosphamide (CY) treatment results in P450-mediated metabolic formation of phosphoramide mustard and acrolein (3-propenal). Acrolein is either metabolized and

The rat glutathioneS-transferase-A3-subunit (GSTA3) gene is a member of the class Alpha GSTs, which we have previously reported to be overexpressed in anti-cancer-drug-resistant cells. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of the entire rat GSTA3 (rGST Yc1) subunit gene. The rat GSTA3 subunit gene is approximately 15 kb in length and consists of seven exons interrupted by introns of different lengths. Exon 1, with a length of 219 bp, contains only the 5'-untranslated region of the gene. Each exon-intron splicing junction exhibited the consensus sequence for a mammalian splice site. The transcription start site and exon 1 of rat GSTA3 were characterized by a combination of primer extension and rapid amplification of the cDNA ends. Position +1 was identified 219 bp upstream of the first exon-intron splicing junction. The proximal promoter region of the rat GSTA3 subunit gene does not contain typical TATA or CAAT boxes. A computer-based search for potential transcription-factor binding sites revealed the existence of a number of motifs such as anti-oxidant-responsive element, ras-response element, activator protein-1, nuclear factor-kappaB, cAMP-response-element-binding protein, Barbie box and E box. The functional activity of the regulatory region of the rat GSTA3 subunit gene was shown by its ability to drive the expression of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in rat mammary carcinoma cells, and its activity was greater in melphalan-resistant cells known to have transcriptional activation of this gene by previous studies. The structure of the gene, with a large intron upstream of the translation-initiation site, may explain why the isolation of this promoter has been so elusive. This information will provide the opportunity to examine the involvement of the rat GSTA3 subunit gene in drug resistance and carcinogenesis. PMID:10215608

Stem blister canker, caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea, is becoming the most serious disease of poplar in China. The molecular basis of the poplar in response to stem blister canker is not well understood. To reveal the global transcriptional changes of poplar to infection by B. dothidea, Solexa paired-end sequencing of complementary DNAs (cDNAs) from control (NB) and pathogen-treated samples (WB) was performed, resulting in a total of 339,283 transcripts and 183,881 unigenes. A total of 206,586 transcripts were differentially expressed in response to pathogen stress (false discovery rate ≤0.05 and an absolute value of log2Ratio (NB/WB) ≥1). In enrichment analysis, energy metabolism and redox reaction-related macromolecules were accumulated significantly in Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analyses, indicating components of dynamic defense against the fungus. A total of 852 transcripts (575 upregulated and 277 downregulated transcripts) potentially involved in plant-pathogen interaction were also differentially regulated, including genes encoding proteins linked to signal transduction (putative leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein kinases and calcium-binding proteins), defense (pathogenesis-related protein 1), and cofactors (jasmonate-ZIM-domain-containing proteins and heat shock proteins). Moreover, transcripts encoding glutathioneS-transferase (GST) were accumulated to high levels, revealing key genes and proteins potentially related to pathogen resistance. Poplar RNA sequence data were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), which revealed a highly reliability of the transcriptomic profiling data. PMID:24870810

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) play an important role in detoxification of xenobiotics in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In this study, four GSTs (LmGSTd1, LmGSTs5, LmGSTt1, and LmGSTu1) representing different classes were identified from the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria. These four proteins were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli as soluble fusion proteins, purified by Ni2+-nitrilotriacetic acid agarose column and biochemically characterized. LmGSTd1, LmGSTs5, and LmGSTu1 showed high activities with 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), detectable activity with p-nitro-benzyl chloride (p-NBC) and 1, 2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB), whereas LmGSTt1 showed high activity with p-NBC and detectable activity with CDNB. The optimal pH of the locust GSTs ranged between 7.0 to 9.0. Ethacrynic acid and reactive blue effectively inhibited all four GSTs. LmGSTs5 was most sensitive to heavy metals (Cu2+ and Cd2+). The maximum expression of the four GSTs was observed in Malpighian tubules and fat bodies as evaluated by western blot. The nymph mortalities after carbaryl treatment increased by 28 and 12% after LmGSTs5 and LmGSTu1 were silenced, respectively. The nymph mortalities after malathion and chlorpyrifos treatments increased by 26 and 18% after LmGSTs5 and LmGSTu1 were silenced, respectively. These results suggest that sigma GSTs in L. migratoria play a significant role in carbaryl detoxification, whereas some of other GSTs may also involve in the detoxification of carbaryl and chlorpyrifos. PMID:23505503

OBJECTIVE--To investigate whether a lack of glutathione-S-transferase mu (GSTM1) activity was related to an increased risk for adverse outcome after asbestos exposure. METHODS--A study was made of 78 male former asbestos cement workers, with retrospective cohort data on exposure, radiographical findings, and lung function. Venous blood samples were obtained for the analysis of GSTM1 polymorphism by the polymerase chain reaction technique. Chest x ray films were classified according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 1980 classification. Vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume during 1 s (FEV1) were determined. Individual estimates of asbestos exposure were calculated, and expressed as duration of exposure, average exposure intensity, and cumulative dose. Data on smoking were obtained from interviews. RESULTS--The lung function in the study group was reduced, compared with reference equations. 23% of the workers had small opacities > or = 1/0, 29% circumscribed pleural thickenings, 14% diffuse thickenings, and 12% obliterated costophrenic angles. 54% of the workers were GSTM1 deficient. They were comparable with the other workers in age, follow up time (median 30 years), and duration of exposure (median 18 years), but had a slightly higher cumulated dose (median 18 v 10 fibre-years) than the others. Neither in radiographical changes nor lung function variables were there any differences between the different GSTM1 groups. The findings were similar when smoking habits and estimated asbestos exposure were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS--We could not show that lack of GSTM1 activity was related to an increased risk for radiographical or lung function changes in a group of asbestos cement workers, followed up for a long period after the end of exposure. PMID:7849864

The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of overexpressed exogenous glutathioneS-transferase π 1 (GSTP1) gene on the radiosensitivity of the HeLa human cervical cancer cell line and conduct a preliminarily investigation into the underlying mechanisms of the effect. The full-length sequence of human GSTP1 was obtained by performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers based on the GenBank sequence of GSTP1. Subsequently, the gene was cloned into a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid, and the resulting construct was confirmed by restriction analysis and DNA sequencing. A HeLa cell line that was stably expressing high levels of GSTP1 was obtained through stable transfection of the constructed plasmids using lipofectamine and screening for G418 resistance, as demonstrated by reverse transcription-PCR. Using the transfected HeLa cells, a colony formation assay was conducted to detect the influence of GSTP1 overexpression on the cell radiosensitivity. Furthermore, flow cytometry was used to investigate the effect of GSTP1 overexpression on cell cycle progression, with the protein expression levels of the cell cycle regulating factor cyclin B1 detected using western blot analysis. Colony formation and G2/M phase arrest in the GSTP1-expressing cells were significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.01). In addition, the expression of cyclin B1 was significantly reduced in the GSTP1-expressing cells. These results demonstrated that increased expression of GSTP1 inhibits radiosensitivity in HeLa cells. The mechanism underlying this effect may be associated with the ability of the GSTP1 protein to reduce cyclin B1 expression, resulting in significant G2/M phase arrest. PMID:26622693

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire is a recently discovered invasive insect pest of ash, Fraxinus spp. in North America. Glutathione-S-transferases (GST) are a multifunctional superfamily of enzymes which function in conjugating toxic compounds to less toxic and excretable forms. In this study, we report the molecular characterization and expression patterns of different classes of GST genes in different tissues and developmental stages plus their specific activity. Multiple sequence alignment of all six A. planipennis GSTs (ApGST-E1, ApGST-E2, ApGST-E3, ApGST-O1, ApGST-S1 and ApGST-μ1) revealed conserved features of insect GSTs and a phylogenetic analysis grouped the GSTs within the epsilon, sigma, omega and microsomal classes of GSTs. Real time quantitative PCR was used to study field collected samples. In larval tissues high mRNA levels for ApGST-E1, ApGST-E3 and ApGST-O1 were obtained in the midgut and Malpighian tubules. On the other hand, ApGST-E2 and ApGST-S1 showed high mRNA levels in fat body and ApGST-μ1 showed constitutive levels in all the tissues assayed. During development, mRNA levels for ApGST-E2 were observed to be the highest in feeding instars, ApGST-S1 in prepupal instars; while the others showed constitutive patterns in all the developmental stages examined. At the enzyme level, total GST activity was similar in all the tissues and developmental stages assayed. Results obtained suggest that A. planipennis is potentially primed with GST-driven detoxification to metabolize ash allelochemicals. To our knowledge this study represents the first report of GSTs in A. planipennis and also in the family of wood boring beetles. PMID:23499941

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs; EC 2.5.1.18) are phase II enzymes involved in major detoxification reactions of xenobiotic in many organisms. In the present study, two classes of GSTs (PvGST1 and PvGST2) were cloned from P. viridis by rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. Sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis together supported that PvGST1 and PvGST2 belonged to the pi and omega classes, respectively. The PvGST1 cDNA was 1214 nucleotides (nt) in length and contained a 618 nt open reading frame (ORF) encoding 206 amino acid residues, and had 46 nt of 5'-untranslated region (UTR) and a 3' UTR of 550 nt including a tailing signal (AATAAA) and a poly (A) tail. The molecular mass of the predicted PvGST1 was 23.815kDa, with the calculated isoelectric point being 5.39. PvGST2 was 1093bp, consisting of a 5' UTR of 13bp, a 3' UTR of 246bp and an ORF of 834bp. The deduced protein was composed of 278 amino acids, with an estimated molecular mass of 32.476kDa and isoelectric point of 8.88. Tissue distribution analysis of the PvGST1 and PvGST2 mRNA revealed that the GST expression level was higher in digestive gland and gonad, while lower in gill and mantle in both genders. Molecular modeling analysis of two GSTs implicated their various functions account for their different enzymatic features. PMID:23711756

GlutathioneS-transferase pi (GST-pi) is a phase II detoxification enzyme whose expression is increased in estrogen receptor (ER)-poor breast cancers and in breast cancers resistant to certain chemotherapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of GST-pi in invasive breast carcinoma and to correlate the findings with those of nuclear morphometry. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens obtained from 21 invasive breast cancers and 16 adjacent (benign) tissues were immunohistochemically stained using polyclonal anti-human GST-pi antibody. There was positive (defined as >10% immunoreactive tumor cells) but variable expression of GST-pi in 10 (48%) cases. Nuclear morphometry in these 10 tumors revealed immunoreactive malignant cells to be larger (mean area 41.7+/-1.0 microm2) and more rounded in form when compared with non-staining cancer cells (mean area 28.7+/-0.7 microm2). It was also observed that GST-pi immunonegative tumor cells in GST-pi expressing tumors had different morphologies from malignant cells in the remaining 11 (52%) cancers that were regarded as GST-pi negative. Increased GST-pi expression determined by the percentage of positively staining tumor cells, was found to be significantly correlated with increased variability in nuclear area and perimeter (Spearman's rho=0.821, p=0.044 for both) in the subset of node-positive tumors. Our findings suggest that there exists two sub-populations of cancer cells with distinct nuclear morphologies in GST-pi positive tumors; factors other than GST-pi expression are likely to have a phenotypic effect on breast cancer cells; and there may be a special significance of this enzyme in axillary node-positive breast tumors. PMID:10767377

The role of the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) enzyme family is to detoxify environmental toxins and carcinogens and to protect organisms from their adverse effects, including cancer. The genes GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1 code for three GSTs involved in the detoxification of carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzene. In humans, GSTM1 is deleted in about 50% of the population, GSTT1 is absent in about 20%, whereas the GSTP1 gene has a single base polymorphism resulting in an enzyme with reduced activity. Epidemiological studies indicate that GST polymorphisms increase the level of carcinogen-induced DNA damage and several studies have found a correlation of polymorphisms in one of the GST genes and an increased risk for certain cancers. We examined the role of polymorphisms in genes coding for these three GST enzymes in breast cancer. A breast tissue collection consisting of specimens of breast cancer patients and non-cancer controls was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence or absence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and for GSTP1 single base polymorphism by PCR/RFLP. We found that GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions occurred more frequently in cases than in controls, and GSTP1 polymorphism was more frequent in controls. The effective detoxifier (putative low-risk) genotype (defined as presence of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and GSTP1 wild type) was less frequent in cases than controls (16% vs. 23%, respectively). The poor detoxifier (putative high-risk) genotype was more frequent in cases than controls. However, the sample size of this study was too small to provide conclusive results.

GlutathioneS-transferase alpha 4 (GSTA4-4) is one of the enzymes responsible for the removal of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), an electrophilic product of lipid peroxidation in cellular membranes during oxidative stress. 4-HNE is a direct activator of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor with many target genes encoding antioxidant and anti-electrophile enzymes. We have previously shown that Gsta4-null mice on a 129/Sv background exhibited increased activity of Nrf2 in the heart. Here we examined the sensitivity of this Gsta4-null mouse model towards cardiac function and structure loss due to local heart irradiation. Male Gsta4-null and wild-type mice were exposed to a single X-ray dose of 18 Gy to the heart. Six months after irradiation, immunohistochemical staining for respiratory complexes 2 and 5 indicated that radiation exposure had caused most pronounced alterations in mitochondrial morphology in Gsta4-null mice. On the other hand, wild-type mice showed a decline in cardiac function and an increase in plasma levels of troponin-I, while no such changes were observed in Gsta4-null mice. Radiation-induced Nrf2-target gene expression only in Gsta4-null mice. In conclusion, although loss of GSTA4-4 led to enhanced susceptibility of cardiac mitochondria to radiation-induced loss of morphology, cardiac function was preserved in Gsta4-null mice. We propose that this protection against cardiac function loss may occur, at least in part, by upregulation of the Nrf2 pathway. PMID:26010708

The rat glutathioneS-transferase-A3-subunit (GSTA3) gene is a member of the class Alpha GSTs, which we have previously reported to be overexpressed in anti-cancer-drug-resistant cells. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of the entire rat GSTA3 (rGST Yc1) subunit gene. The rat GSTA3 subunit gene is approximately 15 kb in length and consists of seven exons interrupted by introns of different lengths. Exon 1, with a length of 219 bp, contains only the 5'-untranslated region of the gene. Each exon-intron splicing junction exhibited the consensus sequence for a mammalian splice site. The transcription start site and exon 1 of rat GSTA3 were characterized by a combination of primer extension and rapid amplification of the cDNA ends. Position +1 was identified 219 bp upstream of the first exon-intron splicing junction. The proximal promoter region of the rat GSTA3 subunit gene does not contain typical TATA or CAAT boxes. A computer-based search for potential transcription-factor binding sites revealed the existence of a number of motifs such as anti-oxidant-responsive element, ras-response element, activator protein-1, nuclear factor-kappaB, cAMP-response-element-binding protein, Barbie box and E box. The functional activity of the regulatory region of the rat GSTA3 subunit gene was shown by its ability to drive the expression of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in rat mammary carcinoma cells, and its activity was greater in melphalan-resistant cells known to have transcriptional activation of this gene by previous studies. The structure of the gene, with a large intron upstream of the translation-initiation site, may explain why the isolation of this promoter has been so elusive. This information will provide the opportunity to examine the involvement of the rat GSTA3 subunit gene in drug resistance and carcinogenesis. PMID:10215608

Setaria digitata is a filarial worm of the cattle used as a model system for antifilarial drug screening, due to its similarity to the human filarial parasites Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. Since filarial glutathioneS-transferase (GST) is a good biochemical target for antifilarial drug development, a study has been undertaken for the biochemical characterization of GST from S. digitata. Cytosolic fraction was separated from the crude S.digitata worm homogenate by ultracentrifugation at 100,000 g and subjected to ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by affinity chromatography using GSH-agarose column. The kinetic parameters K (m) and V (max) values with respect to GSH were 0.45 mM and 0.105 μmol min(-1) mL(-1) respectively. With respect to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, the K (m) and V (max) values were 1.21 and 0.117 μmol min(-1) mL(-1) respectively. The effect of temperature and pH on GST enzyme activity was studied. The protein retained its enzyme activity between 0°C and 40°C, beyond which it showed a decreasing tendency, and at 80°C, the activity was lost completely. The enzyme activity was varying with change in pH, and the maximum GST activity was observed at pH 7.5. Gel filtration chromatographic studies indicated that the protein has a native molecular mass of about 54 kDa. The single band of GST subunit appeared in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was found to have molecular mass of ∼27 kDa. This shows that cytosolic S. digitata GST protein is homodimeric in nature. PMID:21207063

Exposure to tobacco smoke impairs endothelium-dependent arterial dilation. Reactive constituents of cigarette smoke are metabolized and detoxified by glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs). Although polymorphisms in GST genes are associated with the risk of cancer in smokers, the role of these enzymes in regulating the cardiovascular effects of smoking has not been studied. The P isoform of GST (GSTP), which catalyzes the conjugation of electrophilic molecules in cigarette smoke such as acrolein, was expressed in high abundance in the mouse lung and aorta. Exposure to tobacco smoke for 3 days (5 h/day) decreased total plasma protein. These changes were exaggerated in GSTP−/− mice. Aortic rings isolated from tobacco smoke-exposed GSTP−/− mice showed greater attenuation of ACh-evoked relaxation than those from GSTP+/+ mice. The lung, plasma, and aorta of mice exposed to tobacco smoke or acrolein (for 5 h) accumulated more acrolein-adducted proteins than those tissues of mice exposed to air, indicating that exposure to tobacco smoke results in the systemic delivery of acrolein. Relative to GSTP+/+ mice, modification of some proteins by acrolein was increased in the aorta of GSTP−/− mice. Aortic rings prepared from GSTP−/− mice that inhaled acrolein (1 ppm, 5 h/day for 3 days) or those exposed to acrolein in an organ bath showed diminished ACh-induced arterial relaxation more strongly than GSTP+/+ mice. Acrolein-induced endothelial dysfunction was prevented by pretreatment of the aorta with N-acetylcysteine. These results indicate that GSTP protects against the endothelial dysfunction induced by tobacco smoke exposure and that this protection may be related to the detoxification of acrolein or other related cigarette smoke constituents. PMID:19270193

The effect of the dinoflagellate, Alexandrium fundyense, on relative expression of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) transcripts was examined in the copepod Calanus finmarchicus. Adult females were fed for 5-days on one of three experimental diets: control (100% Rhodomonas spp.), low dose of A. fundyense (25% by volume, 75% Rhodomonas spp.), and high dose (100% A. fundyense). Relative expression of three GST genes was measured using RT-qPCR on days 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 in two independent experiments. Differential regulation was found for the Delta and the Sigma GSTs between 0.5 to 2 days, but not on day 5 in both experiments. The third GST, a microsomal, was not differentially expressed in either treatment or day. RT-qPCR results from the two experiments were similar, even though experimental females were collected from the Gulf of Maine on different dates and their reproductive output differed. In the second experiment, expression of 39 GSTs was determined on days 2 and 5 using RNA-Seq. Global gene expression analyses agreed with the RT-qPCR results. Furthermore, the RNA-Seq measurements indicated that only four GSTs were differentially expressed under the experimental conditions, and the response was small in amplitude. In summary, the A. fundyense diet led to a rapid and transient response in C. finmarchicus in three cytosolic GSTs, while a fourth GST (Omega I) was significantly up-regulated on day 5. Although there was some regulation of GSTs in response the toxic dinoflagellate, the tolerance to A. fundyense by C. finmarchicus is not dependent on the long-term up-regulation of specific GSTs. PMID:27427938

Objective To investigate association between genetic polymorphisms of GST, CYP and renal outcome or occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in lupus nephritis (LN) treated with cyclophosphamide (CYC). CYC, as a pro-drug, requires bioactivation through multiple hepatic cytochrome P450s and glutathioneStransferases (GST). Methods We carried out a multicentric retrospective study including 70 patients with proliferative LN treated with CYC. Patients were genotyped for polymorphisms of the CYP2B6, CYP2C19, GSTP1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes. Complete remission (CR) was defined as proteinuria ≤0.33g/day and serum creatinine ≤124 µmol/l. Partial remission (PR) was defined as proteinuria ≤1.5g/day with a 50% decrease of the baseline proteinuria value and serum creatinine no greater than 25% above baseline. Results Most patients were women (84%) and 77% were Caucasian. The mean age at LN diagnosis was 41 ± 10 years. The frequency of patients carrying the GST null genotype GSTT1-, GSTM1-, and the Ile→105Val GSTP1 genotype were respectively 38%, 60% and 44%. In multivariate analysis, the Ile→105Val GSTP1 genotype was an independent factor of poor renal outcome (achievement of CR or PR) (OR = 5.01 95% CI [1.02–24.51]) and the sole factor that influenced occurrence of ADRs was the GSTM1 null genotype (OR = 3.34 95% CI [1.064–10.58]). No association between polymorphisms of cytochrome P450s gene and efficacy or ADRs was observed. Conclusion This study suggests that GST polymorphisms highly impact renal outcome and occurrence of ADRs related to CYC in LN patients. PMID:27002825

S-(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)glutathione (S-BDB-G), a reactive analogue of glutathione, has been synthesized and characterized by UV spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography, as well as by bromide and primary amine analysis. Incubation of S-BDB-G (200 {mu}M) with the 4-4 isoenzyme of rat liver glutathioneS-transferase at pH 6.5 and 25C results in a time-dependent inactivation of the enzyme. The k{sub obs} exhibits a nonlinear dependence on S-BDB-G concentration from 50 to 1000 {mu}M. Modified enzyme, prepared by incubating glutathioneS-transferase with ({sup 3}H)S-BDB-G in the absence or in the presence of S-hexylglutathione, was reduced with NaBH{sub 4}, carboxymethylated, and digested with trypsin. The tryptic digest was fractionated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Two radioactive peptides were identified. These results suggest that S-BDB-G functions as an affinity label at or near the active site of glutathioneS-transferase and that modification of one site per enzyme subunit causes inactivation. It is proposed that the new compound, S-(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)glutathione, may have general applicability as an affinity label of other enzymes with glutathione binding sites.

The glutathione (GSH)/glutathioneS-transferase (GST) system is an important detoxification system in the gastrointestinal tract. A high activity of this system may benefit cancer prevention. The aim of the study was to assess whether habitual consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits and brassica and allium vegetables, is positively associated with parameters reflecting the activity of the GSH/GST enzyme system in human rectal mucosa. GST enzyme activity, GST isoenzyme levels of GST-alpha (A1-1, A1-2 and A2-2), -mu (M1-1) and -pi (P1-1), and GSH levels were measured in rectal biopsies from 94 subjects. Diet, lifestyle, GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms were assessed. Mean GST enzyme activity was 237 nmol/min/mg protein (SD = 79). Consumption of citrus fruits was positively associated with GST enzyme activity [difference between high and low consumption: 28.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 9.3-48.6) nmol/min/mg protein], but was not associated with the other parameters. A positive association with brassica vegetables was found among carriers of the GSTM1-plus genotype [difference between high and low consumption: 22.6 (95% CI = 0.2-45.0) nmol/min/mg protein], but not among GSTM1-null individuals (-25.8 nmol/min/mg protein, 95% CI = -63.3-11.8). This is in line with a positive association between consumption of brassica vegetables and GSTM isoenzyme level [difference between high and low consumption: 67.5%, 95% CI = (6.8-162.7)]. Consumption of allium vegetables was not associated with GST enzyme activity, but negatively with GSTP1-1 levels [difference between high and low consumption: -23.3%, 95% CI = (-35.5; -8.6)]. Associations were similar among those with the GSTT1-plus and GSTT1-null genotype. In conclusion, variations in habitual consumption of fruits, particularly citrus fruits, and of vegetables, in particular brassica vegetables, among those with the GSTM1-plus genotype, may contribute to variations in human rectal GST enzyme

Microsomal glutathioneS-transferase 2 (MGST2) is a 17 kDa trimeric integral membrane protein homologous to leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S). MGST2 has been suggested to catalyze the biosynthesis of the pro-inflammatory mediator leukotriene C4 (LTC4) in cells devoid of LTC4S. A detailed biochemical study of MGST2 is critical for the understanding of its cellular function and potential role as an LTC4-producing enzyme. Here we have characterized the substrate specificity and catalytic properties of purified MGST2 by steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetic experiments. In comparison with LTC4S, which has a catalytic efficiency of 8.7 × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1), MGST2, with a catalytic efficiency of 1.8 × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1), is considerably less efficient in producing LTC4. However, the two enzymes display a similar KM(LTA4) of 30-40 μM. While LTC4S has one activated glutathione (GSH) (forming a thiolate) per enzyme monomer, the MGST2 trimer seems to display only third-of-the-sites reactivity for thiolate activation, which in part would explain its lower catalytic efficiency. Furthermore, MGST2 displays GSH-dependent peroxidase activity of ∼0.2 μmol min(-1) mg(-1) toward several lipid hydroperoxides. MGST2, but not LTC4S, is efficient in catalyzing conjugation of the electrophilic substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal with GSH. Using stopped-flow pre-steady-state kinetics, we have characterized the full catalytic reaction of MGST2 with CDNB and GSH as substrates, showing an initial rapid equilibrium binding of GSH followed by thiolate formation. Burst kinetics for the CDNB-GSH conjugation step was observed only at low GSH concentrations (thiolate anion formation becoming rate-limiting under these conditions). Product release is rapid and does not limit the overall reaction. Therefore, in general, the chemical conjugation step is rate-limiting for MGST2 at physiological GSH concentrations. MGST2 and LTC4S

GSTs, a biotransformation enzyme group, can perform metabolism, drug transfer and detoxification functions. Rapid detection of the GSTs with more sensitive approaches is of great importance. In the current study, a novel double-layer gold nanoparticles-electrochemical immunosensor electrode (DGN-EIE) immobilized with GlutathioneS-Transferase (GST) antibody derived from Balb/c mice was developed. To increase the fixed quantity of antibodies and electrochemical signal, an electrochemical biosensing signal amplification system was utilized with gold nanoparticles-thionine-chitosan absorbing horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In addition, transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to characterize the nanogold solution. To evaluate the quality of DGN-EIE, the amperometric I-t curve method was applied to determine the GST in PBS. The results showed that the response current had a good linear correlation with the GST concentration ranged from 0.1-10(4) pg/mL. The lowest detection limit was found at 0.03 pg/mL(S/N = 3). The linear equation was deduced as △I/% = 7.386lgC + 22.36 (R(2) = 0.998). Moreover, it was validated with high sensitivity and reproducibility. Apparently, DGN-EIE may be a very useful tool for monitoring the GST. PMID:27220630

Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC) selected by exposure to Adriamycin (doxorubicin) express an approximate 2.5-fold (ARN1) or 13-fold (ARN2) resistance to the drug with various degrees of cross-resistance to other anthracyclines, vinca alkaloids, and epipodophyllotoxins. Because the redox cycling of the quinone moiety of Adriamycin is known to produce oxidative stress, however, an analysis of glutathione (GSH) and related enzyme systems was undertaken in the wild-type and selected resistant cells. In ARN1 and ARN2, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were slightly decreased, intracellular GSH and GSH reductase were essentially unchanged, and total GSH peroxidase, glutathioneS-transferase (GST), and DT-diaphorase activities were slightly elevated. In each case there was no stoichiometric relationship between degree of resistance and level of activity. GST isozymes were purified from each cell line by HPLC GSH affinity column chromatography. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and western blot immunoreactivity against a battery of GST isozyme polyclonal antibodies determined that both the resistant and sensitive cells expressed isozymes of the alpha, pi, and mu classes (alternative murine nomenclature: M1, M2, M3). Of significance, both ARN1 and ARN2 cell lines expressed a unique alpha subunit which was absent from the parent FLC cell line. This isozyme presumably accounted for the increased GSH peroxidase activity (cumene hydroperoxide as substrate) found in ARN1 and ARN2 and may play a role in the small incremental resistance to melphalan found for both resistant lines. Expression of the isozyme was not stoichiometric with respect to degree of resistance. The presence of this isozyme may contribute to the resistant phenotype or may be the consequence of a more general cellular response to oxidative stress. PMID:2639724

Glutathione-S-transferases constitute a family of enzymes involving in the detoxification of xenobiotics, signalling cascades and serving as ligandins or/and catalyzing the conjugation of various chemicals and drugs. The widely expressed cytosolic GST-pi is a marker protein in various cancers and its increased concentration is linked to drug resistance. GST-pi is autoregulated by S-glutathionylation and it catalyzes the S-glutathionylation of other proteins in response to oxidative or nitrosative stress. S-glutathionylation of GST-pi results in multimer formation and the breakage of ligand binding interactions with c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). Another widely expressed GST enzyme, GST-alpha is assumed as a marker in hepatocellular damage, is implicated in cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease and response to chemotherapy. Although, it was shown that hypericin binds and inhibits GST-alpha and GST-pi, the inhibition characteristics have not been investigated in detail. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hypericin on major GSTs; GST-alpha and GST-pi purified from rat small intestine. When GSH used as varied substrate the inhibition pattern with hypericin was uncompetitive for GST-alpha (K(i)=0.16 + or - 0.02 microM) and noncompetitive for GST-pi (K(i) = 2.46 + or - 0.43 microM). While using CDNB (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene) as the varied substrate, the inhibition patterns were noncompetitive for GST-alpha and competitive for GST-pi; K(i) values for GST-alpha and GST-pi were 1.91 + or - 0.21 and 0.55 + or - 0.07 microM, respectively. Since hypericin accumulated in cancer cells and important in photodynamic therapy (PDT), inhibition of GST-alpha and GST-pi by hypericin might increase the effectivity of the treatment. Considering that GST-pi is responsible for the drug resistance its inhibition might increase the benefit obtained from chemotherapy. PMID:20637187

GlutathioneS-transferase pi (GST-pi), a Phase II detoxification enzyme, has recently been implicated in protection against apoptosis. Expression of GST-pi and Bcl-2 protein, an established apoptosis marker, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 116 cases of infiltrative ductal breast carcinomas in Singapore women. The markers were correlated with apoptosis detected by the TUNEL method and clinico-pathological parameters. There were 67 (58%) GST-pi-positive breast tumors and 43 (37%) Bcl-2-positive tumors. In a large proportion of GST-pi-positive/Bcl-2-positive tumors, there was a distinct accumulation of the GST-pi enzyme within the nucleus of cancer cells when examined by double immunofluorescence labeling under confocal microscopy. GST-pi immunoreactivity was not significantly correlated with any of the traditional histologic factors known to influence prognosis, whereas Bcl-2 overexpression was associated with reduced size of primary tumor (P =.021) and positive estrogen receptor status (P =.001). Univariate analysis revealed that GST-pi-positive, Bcl-2-positive, and lower histological grade tumors had decreased levels of apoptosis (P =.024, P =.011, and P =.029, respectively). However, multivariate analysis showed that histological grade and Bcl-2, but not GST-pi, immunoreactivity were correlated with apoptotic status. The Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival curves showed a significant difference between GST-pi-positive and GST-pi-negative breast cancer cases (P =.002). Disease-free survival in patients with GST-pi-positive tumors was also worse than that in patients with GST-pi-negative tumors in the group who had adjuvant chemotherapy (P =.04). In patients who were lymph node positive, GST-pi immunopositivity was found to influence disease-free survival. Recurrence of tumors was also significantly affected by GST-pi immunoreactivity (relative risk of 8.1). The findings indicate that GST-pi-positive tumors are more aggressive and have a poorer prognosis than

Immune response polarization is controlled by several factors, including cytokines, antigen-presenting cells, antigen dose, and others. We have previously shown that adjuvants and live vectors play a critical role in polarization. Thus, immunization with the Schistosoma mansoni 28-kDa glutathione-S-transferase (Sm28-GST) in aluminum hydroxide induced a type 2 cytokine profile and the production of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1)- and IgE-specific antibodies. In contrast, mice infected with recombinant Salmonella typhimurium expressing Sm28-GST developed a type 1 cytokine profile and produced IgG2a-specific antibodies against Sm28-GST and Salmonella antigens. In this study, to determine if S. typhimurium not expressing Sm28-GST would still influence the type of the response against this antigen, we compared the profiles of the immune responses generated against Sm28-GST administered in alum in mice infected and not infected with S. typhimurium. Infected mice generated both IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies against Sm28-GST, while noninfected mice produced only IgG1 anti-Sm28-GST antibodies. Moreover, interleukin-4 (IL-4) mRNA expression in infected mice was near background levels, while gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) mRNA expression in coinfected mice was significantly higher than in mice immunized with Sm28-GST in alum only. However, after antigen-specific stimulation in vitro with Sm28-GST, levels of IL-4 and IFN-gamma cytokine production were similar in the two groups of mice. These results suggest that (i) the immune milieu produced during an infection may modify the response against an irrelevant antigen and (ii) isotype switching may be influenced by the cytokine environment of a bystander immune response, even though the specific antigen-driven cytokine production is not modified. Thus, the isotypic profile is not always an absolute reflection of the cytokines produced by antigen-specific Th cells. PMID:9234784

Female infertility involves an emotional impact for the woman, often leading to a state of anxiety and low self-esteem. The assisted reproduction techniques (ART) are used to overcome the problem of infertility. In a first step of the in vitro fertilization therapy women are subjected to an ovarian stimulation protocol to obtain mature oocytes, which will result in competent oocytes necessary for fertilization to occur. Ovarian stimulation, however, subjects the women to a high physical and psychological stress, thus being essential to improve ART and to find biomarkers of dysfunction and fertility. GSH is an important antioxidant, and is also used in detoxification reactions, catalysed by glutathioneS-transferases (GST). In the present work, we have investigated the involvement of GST in follicular maturation. Patients with fertility problems and oocyte donors were recruited for the study. From each woman follicles at two stages of maturation were extracted at the preovulatory stage. Follicular fluid was separated from the oocyte by centrifugation and used as the enzyme source. GST activity was determined based on its conjugation with 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene and the assay was adapted to a 96-well microplate reader. The absorbance was represented against the incubation time and the curves were adjusted to linearity (R(2)>0.990). Results showed that in both donors and patients GST activity was significantly lower in mature oocytes compared to small ones. These results suggest that GST may play a role in the follicle maturation by detoxifying xenobiotics, thus contributing to the normal development of the oocyte. Supported by FIS/FEDER (PI11/02559), Gobierno Vasco (Dep. Educación, Universiades e Investigación, IT687-13), and UPV/EHU (CLUMBER UFI11/20 and PES13/58). The work was approved by the Ethics Committee of the UPV/EHU (CEISH/96/2011/RUIZLARREA), and performed according to the UPV/EHU and IVI-Bilbao agreement (Ref. 2012/01). PMID:26461371

Image cytometry was used to quantify the volume of liver tissue expressing two widely accepted biochemical markers of neoplasia, gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and the placental isozyme of glutathiones-transferase (GST-P). ats were treated with hepatocarcinogen, diethylnitro...

Ingestion of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) represents a major risk factor in the aetiology of human hepatocellular carcinoma. In the rat, the harmful effects of AFB1 can be prevented by the administration of certain drugs which induce hepatic detoxification enzymes. We have previously shown that treatment of rats with the chemoprotector ethoxyquin (EQ) results in a marked increase in expression of the Alpha-class glutathioneS-transferase (GST) Yc2 subunit which has high activity towards AFB1-8,9-epoxide [Hayes, Judah, McLellan, Kerr, Peacock and Neal (1991) Biochem. J. 279, 385-398]. To allow an assessment of whether the increased expression of GST Yc2 represents a general adaptive resistance mechanism to chemical stress, that is invoked by both chemoprotectors and carcinogens, we have examined the effects of EQ, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), phenobarbital (PB), AFB1, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and clofibrate on the AFB1-glutathione-conjugating activity and the GST subunit levels in rat liver. In addition, the effect of these drugs on the hepatic levels of an aldehyde reductase (AFB1-AR) that metabolizes the cytotoxic dialdehydic form of AFB1 has been studied as this enzyme also appears to be important in chemoprotection. Administration of the antioxidants EQ, BHA or BHT, as well as PB, led to a marked increase in levels of the GST Yc2 subunit in rat liver, and this increase coincided with a substantial rise in the GST activity towards AFB1-8,9-epoxide; neither AFB1, 3-MC nor clofibrate caused induction of Yc2 or any of the GST subunits examined. Among the xenobiotics studied, EQ was found to be the most effective inducing agent for the Yc2 subunit as well as Yc1, Yb1 and Yf. However, PB was equally as effective as EQ in increasing levels of the Ya-type subunits, although it was not found to be as potent an inducer of the other GST subunits, including Yc2. In addition to induction of GST, EQ caused a substantial increase in the hepatic

Hepatocellular nuclei require glutathione, glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) for intranuclear protection against damage from electrophiles or products of active oxygen. Data so far available from the literature on nuclei isolated in aqueous systems range from glutathione, GSTs and GPx either being absent altogether to being present in quantities in excess of those in the cytoplasm. This paper describes a small-scale preparation of a nuclear fraction from rat liver by a non-aqueous technique, designed to retain nuclear water-soluble molecules in situ, since low-molecular-mass compounds can diffuse freely into other compartments during aqueous separation. This non-aqueous procedure shows the nucleus to contain glutathione at 8.4 mM and soluble GSTs at 38 micrograms/mg of protein, the enrichment over the homogenate being 1.2-1.4-fold. Se-dependent GPx activity was also present in the nucleus (56 m-units/mg), although with slightly lower activity than in the homogenate (0.7-fold). Images Figure 1 PMID:7487946

Blood samples were collected from 263 lead-exposed suspected males living in Irbid area in the northern part of Jordan. The blood lead concentrations in the samples were determined by atomic absorption and were related to the type of work performed by the workers. The blood lead concentration was higher in metal casters, 41.6, and radiator welders, 32,8 micrograms/dl, compared to non-suspected lead-exposed university students, 5.7 micrograms/dl. Workers such as mechanics, bus drivers, car painters and gas station workers showed slightly higher but not significant blood lead. The blood glutathione content and the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathioneS-transferase were also determined in non-suspected subjects and in those with occupational exposure to lead. With increasing blood lead concentration, glutathione content decreases as well as the activities of the glutathione utilizing enzymes. PMID:7569882

One of the conjugates of melphalan, characterized following incubation with glutathione (GSH) and immobilized microsomal glutathione-S-transferases, has been identified as 4-(glutathionyl)-phenylalanine. This conjugate is formed by displacement of the mustard moiety. The structure was confirmed by reaction of the corresponding 4-halophenylalanines with GSH as well as by TLC, HPLC, and FAB mass spectrometry. Evidence is presented here to support the hypothesis that this novel reaction occurs via a cyclic aziridinium ion. To test this proposed mechanism, N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine and its corresponding quaternary ammonium iodide salt were incubated with GSH in the presence of immobilized glutathione-S-transferases at 37 degrees C for 1 hr at pH 7.4. The tertiary amine did not react, whereas the quaternary compound produced 4-(glutathionyl)toluene. The effect of ring substituent requirements for the reaction was evaluated. The formation of GSH adducts of alkylating agents may be a factor in the development of resistance to these drugs. PMID:2882977

1. The effect of tocotrienol and tocopherol on glutathioneS-transferase (GST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activities in cultured rat hepatocytes were investigated. 2. Tocotrienol and tocopherol significantly decreased GGT activities at 5 days in culture but tocotrienol also significantly decreased GGT activities at 1-2 days. 3. Tocotrienol and tocopherol treatment significantly decreased GST activities at 3 days compared to the control but tocotrienol also decreased GST activities at 1-3 days. 4. Tocotrienol showed a more pronounced effect at a dosage of greater than 50 microM tocotrienol at 1-3 days in culture compared to the control. PMID:7903615

Multiple isoenzymes of the detoxification enzyme family GlutathioneS-transferase are expressed in the brine shrimp Artemia. The number of the major ones detected in crude extract by means of chromatofocusing varied between three and four, depending on the age. Two isoenzymes, one alkaline and one neutral (with corresponding isoelectric points of 8.5 and 7.2) appear to be dominant in all three developmental stages studied, (24, 48, and 72 h after hatching). Culturing Artemia for 48 h after hatching, in artificial sea water prepared by municipal wastewater effluent resulted to significant alterations of the isoenzyme profile. In comparison to organisms cultured for the same period of time in artificial sea water prepared by filtered tap water, the expression of the alkaline isoenzyme decreased by 62% while that of the neutral isoenzyme increased by 58%. Furthermore, the enzyme activity of the major isoenzyme of the acidic area increased by more than two folds. It is worth mentioning that although the specific activity of the total enzyme in the whole body homogenate was elevated, no statistically significant alteration of the Km value was observed. These findings suggest that study of the isoenzyme profile of GlutathioneS-transferase may offer high sensitivity in detecting environmental pollution and needs to be further investigated. PMID:21429555

Previous investigations have implicated glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) as one of the major reasons for insecticide resistance. Therefore, effectiveness of new candidate compounds depends on their ability to inhibit GSTs to prevent metabolic detoxification by insects. Cantharidin, a terpenoid compound of insect origin, has been developed as a bio-pesticide in China, and proves highly toxic to a wide range of insects, especially lepidopteran. In the present study, we test cantharidin as a model compound for its toxicity, effects on the mRNA transcription of a model Helicoverpa armigera glutathioneS-transferase gene (HaGST) and also for its putative inhibitory effect on the catalytic activity of GSTs, both in vivo and in vitro in Helicoverpa armigera, employing molecular and biochemical methods. Bioassay results showed that cantharidin was highly toxic to H. armigera. Real-time qPCR showed down-regulation of the HaGST at the mRNA transcript ranging from 2.5 to 12.5 folds while biochemical assays showed in vivo inhibition of GSTs in midgut and in vitro inhibition of rHaGST. Binding of cantharidin to HaGST was rationalized by homology and molecular docking simulations using a model GST (1PN9) as a template structure. Molecular docking simulations also confirmed accurate docking of the cantharidin molecule to the active site of HaGST impeding its catalytic activity. PMID:23528854

Previous investigations have implicated glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) as one of the major reasons for insecticide resistance. Therefore, effectiveness of new candidate compounds depends on their ability to inhibit GSTs to prevent metabolic detoxification by insects. Cantharidin, a terpenoid compound of insect origin, has been developed as a bio-pesticide in China, and proves highly toxic to a wide range of insects, especially lepidopteran. In the present study, we test cantharidin as a model compound for its toxicity, effects on the mRNA transcription of a model Helicoverpa armigera glutathioneS-transferase gene (HaGST) and also for its putative inhibitory effect on the catalytic activity of GSTs, both in vivo and in vitro in Helicoverpa armigera, employing molecular and biochemical methods. Bioassay results showed that cantharidin was highly toxic to H. armigera. Real-time qPCR showed down-regulation of the HaGST at the mRNA transcript ranging from 2.5 to 12.5 folds while biochemical assays showed in vivo inhibition of GSTs in midgut and in vitro inhibition of rHaGST. Binding of cantharidin to HaGST was rationalized by homology and molecular docking simulations using a model GST (1PN9) as a template structure. Molecular docking simulations also confirmed accurate docking of the cantharidin molecule to the active site of HaGST impeding its catalytic activity. PMID:23528854

GlutathioneS-transferases are involved in the detoxification of reactive electrophilic compounds, including intracellular metabolites, drugs, pollutants and pesticides. A cluster of three glutathioneS-transferase genes, designated GSTA, GSTA1 and GSTA2, was isolated from the marine flatfish, plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). GSTA and GSTA1 code for protein products with 76% amino acid identity. GSTA2 appears to contain a single nucleotide deletion which would render any product non-functional. All of these genes consist of six exons of similar sizes and greater than 70% nucleotide identity, and are interrupted by five introns of differing sizes. GSTA and GSTA1 mRNAs were present in a range of tissues, while GSTA2 mRNA was no detected. Expression of GSTA mRNA was increased in plaice intestine and spleen by pretreatment with beta-naphthoflavone, and expression of both GSTA and GSTA1 mRNAs was increased in plaice liver and gill by pretreatment with the peroxisome proliferating agent perfluoro-octanoic acid. PMID:9020873

Complex transcriptional profile of glutathioneS-transferase Delta cluster genes occurred in the developmental process of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The purpose of this project was to quantify the expression levels of Gst Delta class genes altered by aniline exposure and to understand the relationship between aniline dosages and the variation of Gst Delta genes expressed in D. melanogaster. Using RT-PCR expression assays, the expression patterns of the transcript mRNAs of the glutathioneS-transferase Delta genes were revealed and their expression levels were measured at eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. The adult stage was selected for further dose-response assays. After analysis, the results indicated that three Gst Delta genes (Gst D2, Gst D5 and Gst D6) were found to show a peak of up-regulated transcriptional response at 6-8h of exposure of aniline. Furthermore, the dose-response relationship of their induction levels within the dose regiments (from 1.2 to 2.0 μl/tube) had been measured. The expression patterns and annotations of these genes were discussed in the context. PMID:25682008

Activity of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) in midgut of gypsy moth caterpillars exposed to 10 and 30μg Cd/g dry food was examined. Based on the enzyme reaction through conjugation with glutathione, overall activity remained unaltered after acute and chronic treatment. No-observed-effect-concentration (10μg Cd/g dry food) significantly increased activity only after 3-day recovery following cadmium administration. Almost all comparisons of the indices of phenotypic plasticity revealed statistically significant differences. Despite the facts that GST has important role in xenobiotic biotransformation, our results indicate that this enzyme in insect midgut does not represent the key factor in cadmium detoxification. PMID:27084993

To examine the hypothesis that glutathioneS-transferases (GST) play an important role in the hepatocellular transport of hydrophobic organic anions, the kinetics of the spontaneous transfer of unconjugated bilirubin between membrane vesicles and rat liver glutathioneS-transferase B (ligandin) was studied, using stopped-flow fluorometry. Bilirubin transfer from glutathioneS-transferase B to phosphatidylcholine vesicles was best described by a single exponential function, with a rate constant of 8.0 +/- 0.7 s-1 (+/- SD) at 25 degrees C. The variations in transfer rate with respect to acceptor phospholipid concentration provide strong evidence for aqueous diffusion of free bilirubin. This finding was verified using rhodamine-labeled microsomal membranes as acceptors. Bilirubin transfer from phospholipid vesicles to GST also exhibited diffusional kinetics. Thermodynamic parameters for bilirubin dissociation from GST were similar to those for human serum albumin. The rate of bilirubin transfer from rat liver basolateral plasma membranes to acceptor vesicles in the presence of glutathioneS-transferase B declined asymptotically with increasing GST concentration. These data suggest that glutathioneS-transferase B does not function as an intracellular bilirubin transporter, although expression of this protein may serve to regulate the delivery of bilirubin, and other nonsubstrate ligands, to sites of metabolism within the cell. Images PMID:7560084

The placenta possesses the ability to metabolize a number of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds by processes similar to those seen in the liver. Animal and in vivo studies have observed that the presence of diabetes alters the expression of hepatic metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450 and glutathioneS-transferase); however, it is unknown whether similar alterations occur in the human placenta. To evaluate whether diabetes has any effect of placental xenobiotic metabolizing activity, the catalytic activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD, CYP1A1), chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation (CYP2E1), dextromethorphan N-demethylation (CYP3A4), dextromethorphan O-demethylation (CYP2D6), and 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) conjugation with glutathione (glutathioneS-transferase, GST) from placentas of diet (class A1) and insulin-dependent (class A2) gestational diabetics and overt diabetics were compared with matched controls. EROD activity (CYP1A1) ranged from 0.29 to 2.67 pmol/min/mg protein. However, no differences were observed among overt or gestational diabetics and their respective matched controls. CDNB conjugation (GST) ranged from 0.275 to 1.65 units/min/mg protein. In contrast to that observed with CYP1A1, a small but statistically significant reduction in GST activity was noted in overt diabetics as compared with their matched controls and gestational diabetics. CYP2E1, 2D6, and 3A4 enzymatic activities were not detected in human placental tissue. GST protein was detectable in all tissues studied, but no CYP protein could be detected in any of the tissues. Thus, it seems that pregnant women with overt diabetes have reduced GST activity in the placenta, which could potentially result in the exposure of the fetus to harmful electrophiles. However, the full clinical significance of this finding remains to be elucidated. PMID:9531526

The response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to arsenic involves a large ensemble of genes, many of which are associated with glutathione-related metabolism. The role of the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) product of the URE2 gene involved in resistance of S. cerevisiae to a broad range of heavy metals was investigated. Glutathione peroxidase activity, previously reported for the Ure2p protein, was unaffected in cell-free extracts of an ure2Δ mutant of S. cerevisiae. Glutathione levels in the ure2Δ mutant were lowered about threefold compared to the isogenic wild-type strain but, as in the wild-type strain, increased 2-2.5-fold upon addition of either arsenate (As(V)) or arsenite (As(III)). However, lack of URE2 specifically caused sensitivity to arsenite but not to arsenate. The protective role of URE2 against arsenite depended solely on the GST-encoding 3'-end portion of the gene. The nitrogen source used for growth was suggested to be an important determinant of arsenite toxicity, in keeping with non-enzymatic roles of the URE2 gene product in GATA-type regulation. PMID:20740275

Oxidative stress is a key pathological feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). GlutathioneS-transferase pi (GSTP) is a neuroprotective antioxidant enzyme regulated at the transcriptional level by the antioxidant master regulator nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Here, we show for the first time that upon MPTP-induced oxidative stress, GSTP potentiates S-glutathionylation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), an endogenous repressor of Nrf2, in vivo. S-glutathionylation of Keap1 leads to Nrf2 activation and subsequently increases expression of GSTP. This positive feedback regulatory loop represents a novel mechanism by which GSTP elicits antioxidant protection in the brain. PMID:27086966

GlutathioneS-transferases are important detoxification enzymes involved in insecticide resistance. Sequencing the Tribolium castaneum genome provides an opportunity to investigate the structure, function, and evolution of GSTs on a genome-wide scale. Thirty-six putative cytosolic GSTs and 5 microsomal GSTs have been identified in T. castaneum. Furthermore, 40, 35, 13, 23, and 32 GSTs have been discovered the other insects, Drosophila, Anopheles, Apis, Bombyx, and Acyrthosiphon, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that insect-specific GSTs, Epsilon and Delta, are the largest species-specific expanded GSTs. In T. castaneum, most GSTs are tandemly arranged in three chromosomes. Particularly, Epsilon GSTs have an inverted long-fragment duplication in the genome. Other four widely distributed classes are highly conserved in all species. Given that GSTs specially expanded in Tribolium castaneum, these genes might help to resist poisonous chemical environments and produce resistance to kinds of different insecticides. PMID:22824654

Dragon's blood is a traditional medicine widely used in the world, and the main components of which are flavonoids. However, little is known about its formation mechanism. Previous studies indicate that plant glutathioneS-transferase (GST) genes are involved in transportation of flavonoids from cytosolic synthesis to vacuolar accumulation. In this study, 20 Dracaena cambodiana GST genes (DcGSTs) were identified based on transcriptome database. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 20 DcGSTs belonged to seven different classes. Tissue-specific expression analysis suggested that DcGSTs displayed differential expressions either in their transcript abundance or expression patterns under normal growth conditions. The transcript profiles of three DcGSTs in response to the inducer of dragon's blood were strongly correlated with flavonoids biosynthetic genes, consistent with dragon's blood accumulation. Our survey provides useful information for future studies on GST genes involved in dragon's blood formation in D. cambodiana. PMID:27208821

GlutathioneS-transferase P is abundantly expressed in some mammalian tissues, particularly those associated with malignancies. While the enzyme can catalyze thioether bond formation between some electrophilic chemicals and GSH, novel non-detoxification functions are now ascribed to it. This review summarizes recent material that implicates GSTP in mediating S-glutathionylation of specific clusters of target proteins and in reactions that define a negative regulatory role in some kinase pathways through ligand or protein:protein interactions. It is becoming apparent that GSTP participates in the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis through a number of convergent and divergent mechanisms. Moreover, drug platforms that have GSTP as a target have produced some interesting preclinical and clinical candidates. PMID:21558000

GlutathioneS-transferase P is abundantly expressed in some mammalian tissues, particularly those associated with malignancies. While the enzyme can catalyze thioether bond formation between some electrophilic chemicals and GSH, novel nondetoxification functions are now ascribed to it. This review summarizes recent material that implicates GSTP in mediating S-glutathionylation of specific clusters of target proteins and in reactions that define a negative regulatory role in some kinase pathways through ligand or protein:protein interactions. It is becoming apparent that GSTP participates in the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis through a number of convergent and divergent mechanisms. Moreover, drug platforms that have GSTP as a target have produced some interesting preclinical and clinical candidates. PMID:21558000

The prune gene of Drosophila melanogaster is predicted to encode a phosphodiesterase. Null alleles of prune are viable but cause an eye-color phenotype. The abnormal wing discs gene encodes a nucleoside diphosphate kinase. Killer of prune is a missense mutation in the abnormal wing discs gene. Although it has no phenotype by itself even when homozygous, Killer of prune when heterozygous causes lethality in the absence of prune gene function. A screen for suppressors of transgenic Killer of prune led to the recovery of three mutations, all of which are in the same gene. As heterozygotes these mutations are dominant suppressors of the prune-Killer of prune lethal interaction; as homozygotes these mutations cause early larval lethality and the absence of imaginal discs. These alleles are loss-of-function mutations in CG10065, a gene that is predicted to encode a protein with several zinc finger domains and glutathioneS-transferase activity. PMID:16143620

Although glutathioneS-transferases (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) are involved in response to abiotic stress, limited information is available regarding gene function in tomato. In this study, a GST gene from tomato, designated LeGSTU2, was cloned and functionally characterized. Expression profile analysis results showed that it was expressed in roots and flowers, and the transcription was induced by salt, osmotic, and heat stress. The gene was then introduced to Arabidopsis by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants were normal in terms of growth and maturity compared with wild-type plants. Transgenic plants also showed an enhanced resistance to salt and osmotic stress induced by NaCl and mannitol. The increased tolerance of transgenic plants was correlated with the changes in proline, malondialdehyde and antioxidative emzymes activities. Our results indicated that the gene from tomato plays a positive role in improving tolerance to salinity and drought stresses in Arabidopsis. PMID:26327625

Background Nicotine dependence is associated with an increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders and suicide. The primary hypothesis of this study was to identify whether the polymorphisms of two glutathione-S-transferase enzymes (GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes) predict an increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders in smokers with nicotine dependence. Materials and methods Smokers were recruited at the Centre of Treatment for Smokers. The instruments were a sociodemographic questionnaire, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, diagnoses of mood disorder and nicotine dependence according to DSM-IV (SCID-IV), and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. Anxiety disorder was assessed based on the treatment report. Laboratory assessment included glutathione-S-transferases M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1), which were detected by a multiplex-PCR protocol. Results Compared with individuals who had both GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes, a higher frequency of at least one deletion of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes was identified in anxious smokers [odds ratio (OR)=2.21, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.05–4.65, P=0.034], but there was no association with bipolar and unipolar depression (P=0.943). Compared with nonanxious smokers, anxious smokers had a greater risk for mood disorders (OR=4.67; 95% CI=2.24–9.92, P<0.001), lung disease (OR=6.78, 95% CI=1.95–23.58, P<0.003), and suicide attempts (OR=17.01, 95% CI=2.23–129.91, P<0.006). Conclusion This study suggests that at least one deletion of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes represents a risk factor for anxious smokers. These two genes may modify the capacity for the detoxification potential against oxidative stress. PMID:24637631

The drinking of water containing large amounts of inorganic arsenic is a worldwide major public health problem because of arsenic carcinogenicity. Yet an understanding of the specific mechanism(s) of inorganic arsenic toxicity has been elusive. We have now partially purified the rate-limiting enzyme of inorganic arsenic metabolism, human liver MMA(V) reductase, using ion exchange, molecular exclusion, and hydroxyapatite chromatography. When SDS-beta-mercaptoethanol-PAGE was performed on the most purified fraction, seven protein bands were obtained. Each band was excised from the gel, sequenced by LC-MS/MS and identified according to the SWISS-PROT and TrEMBL Protein Sequence databases. Human liver MMA(V) reductase is 100% identical, over 92% of sequence that we analyzed, with the recently discovered human glutathione-S-transferase Omega class hGSTO 1-1. Recombinant human GSTO1-1 had MMA(V) reductase activity with K(m) and V(max) values comparable to those of human liver MMA(V) reductase. The partially purified human liver MMA(V) reductase had glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity. MMA(V) reductase activity was competitively inhibited by the GST substrate, 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene and also by the GST inhibitor, deoxycholate. Western blot analysis of the most purified human liver MMA(V) reductase showed one band when probed with hGSTO1-1 antiserum. We propose that MMA(V) reductase and hGSTO 1-1 are identical proteins. PMID:11511179

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between glutathioneS-transferase M1 (GSTM1) polymorphism and susceptibility to esophageal cancer (EC). METHODS: A comprehensive search of the United States National Library of Medicine PubMed database and the Elsevier, Springer, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for all relevant studies was conducted using combinations of the following terms: “glutathioneS-transferase M1”, “GSTM1”, “polymorphism”, and “EC” (until November 1, 2014). The statistical analysis was performed using the SAS software (v.9.1.3; SAS Institute, Cary, NC, United States) and the Review Manager software (v.5.0; Oxford, England); crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association between the GSTM1 null genotype and the risk of EC. RESULTS: A total of 37 studies involving 2236 EC cases and 3243 controls were included in this meta-analysis. We observed that the GSTM1 null genotype was a significant risk factor for EC in most populations (OR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.12-1.57, Pheterogeneity < 0.000001, and I2 = 77.0%), particularly in the Asian population (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.26-1.86, Pheterogeneity < 0.000001, and I2 = 77.0%), but not in the Caucasian population (OR = 1.02, 95%CI: 0.87-1.19, Pheterogeneity = 0.97, and I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: The GSTM1 null polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk for EC in Asian but not Caucasian populations. PMID:26855551

Caffeine and other N-methylated xanthines are natural products found in many foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, it is not surprising that bacteria have evolved to live on caffeine as a sole carbon and nitrogen source. The caffeine degradation pathway of Pseudomonas putida CBB5 utilizes an unprecedented glutathione-S-transferase-dependent Rieske oxygenase for demethylation of 7-methylxanthine to xanthine, the final step in caffeine N-demethylation. The gene coding this function is unusual, in that the iron-sulfur and non-heme iron domains that compose the normally functional Rieske oxygenase (RO) are encoded by separate proteins. The non-heme iron domain is located in the monooxygenase, ndmC, while the Rieske [2Fe-2S] domain is fused to the RO reductase gene, ndmD. This fusion, however, does not interfere with the interaction of the reductase with N1- and N3-demethylase RO oxygenases, which are involved in the initial reactions of caffeine degradation. We demonstrate that the N7-demethylation reaction absolutely requires a unique, tightly bound protein complex composed of NdmC, NdmD, and NdmE, a novel glutathione-S-transferase (GST). NdmE is proposed to function as a noncatalytic subunit that serves a structural role in the complexation of the oxygenase (NdmC) and Rieske domains (NdmD). Genome analyses found this gene organization of a split RO and GST gene cluster to occur more broadly, implying a larger function for RO-GST protein partners. PMID:23813729

Insect molting and metamorphosis are tightly controlled by ecdysteroids, which are important steroid hormones that are synthesized from dietary sterols in the prothoracic gland. One of the ecdysteroidogenic genes in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is noppera-bo (nobo), also known as GSTe14, which encodes a member of the epsilon class of glutathioneS-transferases. In D. melanogaster, nobo plays a crucial role in utilizing cholesterol via regulating its transport and/or metabolism in the prothoracic gland. However, it is still not known whether the orthologs of nobo from other insects are also involved in ecdysteroid biosynthesis via cholesterol transport and/or metabolism in the prothoracic gland. Here we report genetic evidence showing that the silkworm Bombyx mori ortholog of nobo (nobo-Bm; GSTe7) is essential for silkworm development. nobo-Bm is predominantly expressed in the prothoracic gland. To assess the functional importance of nobo-Bm, we generated a B. mori genetic mutant of nobo-Bm using TALEN-mediated genome editing. We show that loss of nobo-Bm function causes larval arrest and a glossy cuticle phenotype, which are rescued by the application of 20-hydroxyecdysone. Moreover, the prothoracic gland cells isolated from the nobo-Bm mutant exhibit an abnormal accumulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol, a cholesterol metabolite. These results suggest that the nobo family of glutathioneS-transferases is essential for development and for the regulation of sterol utilization in the prothoracic gland in not only the Diptera but also the Lepidoptera. On the other hand, loss of nobo function mutants of D. melanogaster and B. mori abnormally accumulates different sterols, implying that the sterol utilization in the PG is somewhat different between these two insect species. PMID:25881968

We previously found that nuclear glutathioneS-transferase pi (GSTpi) accumulates in cancer cells resistant to anticancer drugs, suggesting that it has a role in the acquisition of resistance to anticancer drugs. In the present study, the effect of oxidative stress on the nuclear translocation of GSTpi and its role in the protection of DNA from damage were investigated. In human colonic cancer HCT8 cells, the hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced increase in nuclear condensation, the population of sub-G(1) peak, and the number of TUNEL-positive cells were observed in cells pretreated with edible mushroom lectin, an inhibitor of the nuclear transport of GSTpi. The DNA damage and the formation of lipid peroxide were dependent on the dose of H(2)O(2) and the incubation time. Immunological analysis showed that H(2)O(2) induced the nuclear accumulation of GSTpi but not of glutathione peroxidase. Formation of the 7-(2-oxo-hepyl)-substituted 1,N(2)-etheno-2'-deoxyguanosine adduct by the reaction of 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE) with 2'-deoxyguanosine was inhibited by GSTpi in the presence of glutathione. The conjugation product of 4-oxo-2-nonenal, a lipid aldehyde of 13-HPODE, with GSH in the presence of GSTpi, was identified by LS/MS. These results suggested that nuclear GSTpi prevents H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage by scavenging the formation of lipid-peroxide-modified DNA. PMID:15528046

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating lung disease characterized by excessive collagen production and fibrogenesis. Apoptosis in lung epithelial cells is critical in IPF pathogenesis, as heightened loss of these cells promotes fibroblast activation and remodeling. Changes in glutathione redox status have been reported in IPF patients. S-glutathionylation, the conjugation of glutathione to reactive cysteines, is catalyzed in part by glutathione-S-transferase π (GSTP). To date, no published information exists linking GSTP and IPF to our knowledge. We hypothesized that GSTP mediates lung fibrogenesis in part through FAS S-glutathionylation, a critical event in epithelial cell apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that GSTP immunoreactivity is increased in the lungs of IPF patients, notably within type II epithelial cells. The FAS-GSTP interaction was also increased in IPF lungs. Bleomycin- and AdTGFβ-induced increases in collagen content, α-SMA, FAS S-glutathionylation, and total protein S-glutathionylation were strongly attenuated in Gstp−/− mice. Oropharyngeal administration of the GSTP inhibitor, TLK117, at a time when fibrosis was already apparent, attenuated bleomycin- and AdTGFβ-induced remodeling, α-SMA, caspase activation, FAS S-glutathionylation, and total protein S-glutathionylation. GSTP is an important driver of protein S-glutathionylation and lung fibrosis, and GSTP inhibition via the airways may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of IPF. PMID:27358914

The enzyme that modifies fosfomycin by formation of an adduct with glutathione was purified 12-fold with a 56% activity yield by passage through DEAE Sephacel and high-performance liquid chromatography molecular exclusion columns. Its functional form was a homodimer of two 16,000-dalton polypeptides, which possibly showed an antiparallel alpha tertiary structure and which lacked marked hydrophobic regions. Visualization of the reaction was achieved by precolumn derivatization of glutathione and the adduct, separation by high-performance liquid chromatography, and fluorescence detection of both compounds. Temperature and pH optima were 20 to 30 degrees C and 8.25, respectively; Mn2+, Fe2+, and Co2+ enhanced the rate of modification; and Km values were 9.4 and 11 mM for fosfomycin and glutathione, respectively. Phosphoenolpyruvate did not interfere with fosfomycin modification. The enzyme was stable at 4 degrees C for at least 6 months but progressively lost its activity upon being heated for 60 min at temperatures over 30 degrees C. Images PMID:2193621

Tributyltin (TBT) has been used as a heat stabilizer, agricultural pesticide and antifouling agents on ships, boats and fish-farming nets; however, the neurotoxicity of TBT has recently become a concern. TBT is suggested to stimulate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside cells. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of neuronal oxidative injury induced by TBT using rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. The treatment of rat hippocampal slices with TBT induced ROS production, lipid peroxidation and cell death. Pretreatment with antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase or trolox, suppressed the above phenomena induced by TBT, indicating that TBT elicits oxidative stress in hippocampal slices, which causes neuronal cell death. TBT dose-dependently inhibited glutathioneS-transferase (GST), but not glutathione peroxidase or glutathione reductase in the cytosol of rat hippocampus. The treatment of hippocampal slices with TBT decreased the GST activity. Pretreatment with reduced glutathione attenuated the reduction of GST activity and cell death induced by TBT, indicating that the decrease in GST activity by TBT is involved in hippocampal cell death. When hippocampal slices were treated with sulforaphane, the expression and activity of GST were increased. Notably, TBT-induced oxidative stress and cell death were significantly suppressed by pretreatment with sulforaphane. These results indicate that GST inhibition could contribute, at least in part, to the neuronal cell death induced by TBT in hippocampal slices. This study is the first report to show the link between neuronal oxidative injury and the GST inhibition elicited by TBT. PMID:22449404

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) catalyze the conjugation of glutathione to hydrophobic compounds, contributing to the metabolism of toxic chemicals. In this study, we show that two naturally occurring tau GSTs (GSTUs) exhibit distinctive kinetic parameters towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), although they differ only in three amino acids (Arg89, Glu117 and Ile172 in GSTU1 are replaced by Pro89, Lys117 and Val172 in GSTU2). In order to understand the effects of the single mismatched residues, several mutant GSTs were generated through site-directed mutagenesis. The analysis of the kinetic parameters of the mutants led to the conclusion that Glu117 provides a critical contribution to the maintenance of a high-affinity CDNB-binding site. However, the substitution E117K gives rise to mutants showing increased k(cat) values for CDNB, suggesting that Lys117 might positively influence the formation of the transition state during catalysis. No changes in the K(m) values towards glutathione were found between the naturally occurring GSTs and mutants, except for the mutant caused by the substitution R89P in GSTU1, which showed a sharp increase in K(m). Moreover, the analysis of enzyme reactivation after denaturation showed that this R89P substitution leads to a two-fold enhancement of the refolded enzyme yield, suggesting that the insertion of proline might induce critical structural modifications. In contrast, the substitution P89R in GSTU2 does not modify the reactivation yield and does not impair the affinity of the mutant for glutathione, suggesting that all three residues investigated in this work are fundamental in the creation of enzymes characterized by unique biochemical properties. PMID:19954490

Aging is accompanied by increased production of free oxygen radicals and impairment of normal cellular functions. The aim of this work was to provide preliminary data on age-related differences in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and phase II biotransformation enzyme glutathioneS-transferase (GST) in a wild population of the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea. The antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and GST were assessed in visceral mass of four age classes (0+-, 1+-, 2+-, and 3+-year-old) of C. fluminea clams. Age-related changes were seen in antioxidant enzyme status: levels of total SOD (totSOD) (P < 0.05), MnSOD, and CuZnSOD (P < 0.05) activities increased progressively during aging from younger to older clams. Changes in CAT and GR activities with advancing age were found, the levels being the highest in age class II, then being lower in age classes III and IV (P < 0.05). Activities of GPX and GST were lower in the senescent individuals (2+- and 3+-year-old clams) compared with young individuals (0+- and 1+-year-old clams). Overall, the decline of glutathione-dependent enzyme activities, coupled with higher and lower activities of totSOD and CAT, respectively, as the individual grows older, may render the older animals more susceptible to oxidative stress. Data reported here are not intended to be exhaustive since they concern only age/size structure of the population at one locality, so more detailed studies on both the developmental stages and levels of antioxidant enzymes of this new alien species in Serbian rivers are required. PMID:27262191

In this study, PCB-153 bioaccumulation kinetics and concentration-response experiments were performed employing wild Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels. In addition, the activity of three enzymatic biomarkers: glutathioneS-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were measured in the mussel gills. The experimental data fitted well to an asymptotic accumulation model with a high bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 9324 L kg(-1) and a very limited depuration capacity, described by a low excretion rate coefficient (Kd = 0.083 d(-1)). This study reports by first time in mussels significant inhibition of GST activity and significant induction of GPx activity as a result of exposure to dissolved PCB-153. In contrast, AChE activity was unaffected at all concentrations and exposure times tested. The effects on both enzymes are time-dependent, which stresses the difficulties inherent to the use of these biomarkers in chemical pollution monitoring programs. PMID:27176625

Monochlorobimane (MCB) reacts with glutathione (GSH) in a reaction catalyzed by the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isozymes. The diffusion of MCB through cell membranes is rapid and the fluorescence conjugates are relatively insensitive to quenching and to pH effects, and are expelled slowly from the cell, allowing the rate of fluorescence increase to be used to probe the dynamics of the intracellular reaction. Using low-light microscopic cytometry to monitor the initial rates of fluorescence increase for the GST-catalyzed reaction within IC-21 macrophages yields Vmax = 8.4 x 10(-16) mol s-1 cell-1 and KMCBm = 65 microM. Combining these data with an integrated Michaelis analysis of the reaction course yields KIP approximately 1.5 x 10(-5) M, and KmGSH approximately 3.0 x 10(-4) M (at [MCB] = 50 microM). The values of Vmax and KMCBm for the cell-free (extracellular) GST-catalyzed conjugation reaction are 1.2 x 10(-18) mol s-1 cell-1 and 3.1 microM, respectively. The values of Vmax for the intra- and extracellular conjugation reactions differ by 700-fold, suggesting the presence of an intracellular activator for this enzyme system. PMID:7803478

Chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion are among the most widely used insecticides in the world. Human populations are constantly exposed to low doses of both due to their extensive use and presence in food and drinking water. GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione on electrophilic substrates and is an important line of defense in the protection of cellular components from reactive species. GST alpha1 (GSTA1) is the predominant isoform of GST expressed in the human liver; thus, determining the effect of insecticides on GSTA1 transcription is very important. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos on GSTA1 gene expression in HepG2 cells using real time PCR, and activity and immunoreactive protein assays. The results demonstrated that exposure to methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos increased the level of GSTA1 mRNA, GSTA1 immunoreactive protein and GST activity relative to a control. These results demonstrated that these insecticides can increase the expression of GSTA1. In conclusion, HepG2 cell cultures treated with methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos could be a useful model for studying the function of GSTA1 and its role in the metabolism of xenobiotics in the liver. PMID:21907274

Spodoptera litura is polyphagous pest insect and feeds on plants of more than 90 families. In this study the role of glutathioneS-transferase epilson 1 (slgste1) in S. litura in detoxification was examined. This gene was up-regulated in the midgut of S. litura at the transcriptional and protein levels when the insect fed on Brassica juncea or diet containing phytochemicals such as indole-3-carbinol and allyl-isothiocyanate that are metabolic products of sinigrin and glucobrassicin in B. juncea. The SlGSTE1 could catalyze the conjugation of reduced glutathione and indole-3-carbinol and allyl-isothiocyanate, as well as xanthotoxin, which is a furanocoumarin, under in vitro condition. When the expression of Slgste1 in the larvae was suppressed with RNAi, the larval growth and feeding rate were decreased. Furthermore, the up-regulated expression of the SlGSTE1 protein in the midgut of larvae that fed on different host plants was detected by 2-DE and ESI/MS analysis. The feeding adaptation from the most to the least of the larvae for the various host plants was Brassica alboglabra, Brassica linn. Pekinensis, Cucumis sativus, Ipomoea batatas, Arachis hypogaea and Capsicum frutescens. All the results together suggest that Slgste1 is a critical detoxifying enzyme that is induced by phytochmicals in the host plants and, inter alia, may be related to host plant adaptation of S. litura. PMID:26631599

Dichloromethane (DCM) is considered a probable human carcinogen. Laboratory studies have shown an increased incidence of lung and liver cancer in mice but not in rats or hamsters. Despite the correlation between metabolism of DCM by the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pathway and...

Metabolic DDT resistance in Drosophila melanogaster has previously been associated with constitutive over-transcription of cytochrome P450s. Increased P450 activity has also been associated with increased oxidative stress. In contrast, over-transcription of glutathioneStransferases (GSTs) has been...

Cytosolic glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) play a critical role in xenobiotic binding and metabolism, as well as in modulation of oxidative stress. Here, the high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of homodimeric human GSTA1-1 in the apo form and in complex with S-hexyl glutathione (two data sets) are reported at 1.8, 1.5, and 1.3A respectively. At this level of resolution, distinct conformations of the alkyl chain of S-hexyl glutathione are observed, reflecting the nonspecific nature of the hydrophobic substrate binding site (H-site). Also, an extensive network of ordered water, including 75 discrete solvent molecules, traverses the open subunit-subunit interface and connects the glutathione binding sites in each subunit. In the highest-resolution structure, three glycerol moieties lie within this network and directly connect the amino termini of the glutathione molecules. A search for ligand binding sites with the docking program Molecular Operating Environment identified the ordered water network binding site, lined mainly with hydrophobic residues, suggesting an extended ligand binding surface for nonsubstrate ligands, the so-called ligandin site. Finally, detailed comparison of the structures reported here with previously published X-ray structures reveal a possible reaction coordinate for ligand-dependent conformational changes in the active site and the C-terminus.

An intracellular glutathione transferase was purified to homogenity from the fungus, Mucor mucedo, using DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange and glutathione affinity chromatography. Gel filtration chromatography and SDS-PAGE revealed that the purified GST is a homodimer with approximate native and subunit molecular mass of 53 kDa and 23.4 kDa, respectively. The enzyme has a pI value of 4.8, a pH optimum at pH 8.0 and apparent activation energy (Ea) of 1.42 kcal mol(-1). The purified GST acts readily on CDNB with almost negligible peroxidase activity and the activity was inhibited by Cibacron Blue (IC50 0.252 microM) and hematin (IC50 3.55 microM). M. mucedo GST displayed a non-Michaelian behavior. At low (0.1-0.3 mM) and high (0.3-2 mM) substrate concentration, Km (GSH) was calculated to be 0.179 and 0.65 mM, whereas Km(CDNB) was 0.531 and 11 mM and k(cat) was 39.8 and 552 s(-1), respectively. The enzyme showed apparent pKa values of 6-6.5 and 8.0. PMID:16209109

The kinetics of glutathione 5-transferase (GST) catalysis were investigated in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and brown bullheads (Amerius nebulosus), two freshwater fish species found in a variety of polluted waterways in the eastern US. The initial rates of hepatic GST activity toward four GST substrates, including 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, ethacrynic acid, {Delta}5-androstene-17-dione, and nitrobutyl chloride, were significantly higher in brown bullheads than in largemouth bass. Hepatic GST activity toward 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, a {mu}-class GST substrate in rodents, was not detectable in either species. Liver cytosolic GSTs were more efficient in bullheads than in bass at catalyzing 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-reduced glutathione (CDNB-GSH) conjugation over a broad range of electrophile (CDNB) concentrations, including those representative of environmental exposure. In contrast, largemouth bass maintained higher ambient concentrations of GSH, the nucleophilic cofactor for GST-mediated conjugation, than brown bullheads. Biphasic kinetics for GST-CDNB conjugation under conditions of variable GSH concentration were apparent in Eadie-Hofstee plots of the kinetic data, suggesting the presence of at least two hepatic GST isozymes with markedly different K{sub m} values for GSH in both species. The GST-CDNB reaction rate data obtained under conditions of variable GSH were well fitted (R{sup 2} = 0.999) by the two-enzyme Michaelis-Menten equation. In addition, Western blotting experiments confirmed the presence of two different hepatic GST-like proteins in both largemouth bass and brown bullhead liver. Collectively, these findings indicate that largemouth bass and brown bullhead GSTs catalyze the conjugation of structurally diverse, class-specific GST substrates, and that brown bullheads exhibit higher initial rates of GST activity than largemouth bass. The relatively higher rates of in vitro liver GST activity at the low substrate concentrations

Glutathione S-tranferases (GSTs) are a heterogeneous family of proteins, which perform diverse pivotal catalytic and non-enzymatic functions during plant development and in plant stress responses. Previous studies have shown that a GST activity (EC 2.5.1.18) is closely linked with the precocious phases of somatic embryogenesis in leaf tissues of an interspecific chicory hybrid (Cichorium intybus L. var. sativa × C. endivia L. var. latifolia). In order to learn more about the involvement of this enzyme in this process, in situ-hybridization as well as immunolocalization were performed in parallel. GST-mRNAs and proteins were colocalized in small veins, particularly in young protoxylem cell walls. During cell reactivation, the in situ and protein signals became less intense and were associated with chloroplasts. The GST-mRNAs and corresponding proteins were not always colocalized in the same tissues. While high amounts of transcripts could be detected in multicellular embryos, the proteins were not well labeled. Our results indicated that GSTs belong to a complex anti-oxidant mechanism within the cell, and also at the cell wall level. GSTs presence in reactivated cell and multicellular embryos is discussed in relation to redox cell status. PMID:19516999

GlutathioneS-transferase 1 from Necator americanus (Na-GST-1) is a vaccine candidate for hookworm infection that has a high affinity for heme and metal porphyrins. As part of attempts to clarify the mechanism of heme detoxification by hookworm GSTs, co-crystallization and soaking studies of Na-GST-1 with the heme-like molecules protoporphyrin IX disodium salt, hematin and zinc protoporphyrin were undertaken. While these studies did not yield the structure of the complex of Na-GST-1 with any of these molecules, co-crystallization experiments resulted in the first structures of the complex of Na-GST-1 with the substrate glutathione. The structures of the complex of Na-GST-1 with glutathione were solved from pathological crystalline aggregates comprising more than one crystal form. These first structures of the complex of Na-GST-1 with the substrate glutathione were solved by molecular replacement from data collected with a sealed-tube home source using the previously reported apo structure as the search model. PMID:25195885

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds and are related to insecticide resistance. The purpose of this study was to provide new information on the molecular characteristics and the positive selection of locust GSTs. Based on the transcriptome database, we sequenced 28 cytosolic GSTs and 4 microsomal GSTs from the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). We assigned the 28 cytosolic GSTs into 6 classes—sigma, epsilon, delta, theta, omega and zeta, and the 4 microsomal GSTs into 2 subclasses—insect and MGST3. The tissue- and stage-expression patterns of the GSTs differed at the mRNA level. Further, the substrate specificities and kinetic constants of the cytosolic GSTs differed markedly at the protein level. The results of likelihood ratio tests provided strong evidence for positive selection in the delta class. The result of Bayes Empirical Bayes analysis identified 4 amino acid sites in the delta class as positive selection sites. These sites were located on the protein surface. Our findings will facilitate the elucidation of the molecular characteristics and evolutionary aspects of insect GST superfamily. PMID:25486043

Busulfan, at a dose of 16 mg/kg, is widely used in combination with cyclophosphamide as a conditioning regimen for patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Wide interindividual variation in busulfan kinetics and rapid clearance of the drug have been reported, especially in children. Some of the factors contributing to interpatient variability have been identified. They include circadian rhythms, age, disease, drug interaction, changes in hepatic function, and busulfan bioavailability. In this study, we demonstrate that hepatic glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity correlates negatively with busulfan maximum and minimum concentrations (Pearson's correlation r = -0.74 and -0.77, respectively) and positively with busulfan clearance (Pearson's correlation r = 0.728) in children with thalassemia major in the age range of 2 to 15 years. We also found that plasma alpha GST levels were 5 to 10 times higher in patients with thalassemia than in normal controls and age-matched leukemic patients, either reflecting extensive liver damage, elevated expression of the enzyme, or both in thalassemic patients. Plasma alpha GST concentrations showed a similar correlation with busulfan kinetic parameters to that observed for hepatic GST. The status of hepatic GST activity accounts, at least in part, for the observed interindividual variation in busulfan kinetics, while the observed association with plasma alpha GST is difficult to explain at present. PMID:11181493

Pi class GSTs (glutathioneS-transferases) are a member of the vertebrate GST family of proteins that catalyse the conjugation of GSH to electrophilic compounds. The expression of Pi class GST genes can be induced by exposure to electrophiles. We demonstrated previously that the transcription factor Nrf 2 (NF-E2 p45-related factor 2) mediates this induction, not only in mammals, but also in fish. In the present study, we have isolated the genomic region of zebrafish containing the genes gstp1 and gstp2. The regulatory regions of zebrafish gstp1 and gstp2 have been examined by GFP (green fluorescent protein)-reporter gene analyses using microinjection into zebrafish embryos. Deletion and point-mutation analyses of the gstp1 promoter showed that an ARE (antioxidant-responsive element)-like sequence is located 50 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site which is essential for Nrf 2 transactivation. Using EMSA (electrophoretic mobility-shift assay) analysis we showed that zebrafish Nrf 2–MafK heterodimer specifically bound to this sequence. All the vertebrate Pi class GST genes harbour a similar ARE-like sequence in their promoter regions. We propose that this sequence is a conserved target site for Nrf 2 in the Pi class GST genes. PMID:15654768

The daily susceptibility rhythm to permethrin and the expression level of the delta class glutathioneS-transferase (BgGSTD1) gene were investigated in Blattella germanica. Male cockroaches were exposed to the same concentration of permethrin at different times in a light-dark cycle, and results showed that the highest resistance occurred at night. Furthermore, the circadian rhythmicity of permethrin susceptibility was demonstrated by the highest resistance at subjective night under constant darkness. The mRNA level of the BgGSTD1 gene in the fat body of B. germanica peaked early in the day or subjective day under light-dark or constant dark conditions, whereas enzyme activity of cytosolic GSTs did not reflect the rhythmic pattern as well as BgGSTD1 expression. RNA interference (RNAi) was employed to study the function of BgGSTD1 in the circadian rhythm of permethrin susceptibility in B. germanica. Both BgGSTD1 mRNA level and cytosolic GSTs activity were significantly decreased by dsGSTD1 injection. In addition, survival of B. germanica with silenced BgGSTD1 was significantly decreased at night but not in the day when the cockroaches were exposed to permethrin. Total cytosolic GSTs activity demonstrated that is not the only gene involved in the circadian regulation of the permethrin resistance, although it is one of the major regulators of permethrin resistance. PMID:24819204

Human GlutathioneS-Transferase A3-3(hGSTA3-3) is the most efficient human steroid double-bond isomerase enzyme. It catalyzes the double bond isomerization of Δ5-androstene-3,17-dione (Δ5-AD) and Δ5-pregnene-3,20-dione (Δ5-PD). The isomerization products are the precursors of the steroid hormones testosterone and progesterone. We have carried out a QM/MM study to elucidate some interesting aspects of the enzyme catalytic mechanism. In particular, we have analyzed either a concerted or a stepwise reaction path. Moreover, we have attempted to rationalize the electrostatic effects on the catalytic activity of the residues surrounding the active site. Specifically, we have performed a "finger print" analysis to determine the electrostatic contribution of each aminoacid residue to the global electrostatic term, thus ranking the effect of the various aminoacids in the course of the reaction. In this way, we have highlighted the most important terms affecting the stabilization-destabilization of the enzyme.

Oxidative stress resulting from an increased amount of reactive oxygen species and an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants has been implicated in pathogenesis of cerebral stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between common polymorphisms of glutathioneS-transferase M1, T1, and P1 genes and risk of stroke in hypertensive individuals. A total of 667 unrelated Russian individuals with hypertension, including 306 hypertensives who suffered from cerebral stroke and 361 hypertensives who did not have cerebrovascular accidents, were recruited for the study. The deletion polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and polymorphism Ile105Val of the GSTP1 gene were genotyped by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction and restriction analyses, respectively. No differences in GSTM1 and GSTP1 genotype distributions between the cases and controls have been observed. The null GSTT1 genotype was found to be associated with increased risk of cerebral stroke after Bonferroni correction and adjusting for confounding variables such as gender, blood pressure, body mass index, and antihypertensive medication use (odds ratio 1.51 95 % CI 1.09-2.07, P = 0.01). The present study was the first to show the association of null genotype of the GSTT1 gene with increased risk of cerebral stroke. PMID:22528457

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) arise through various combinations of genetic and environmental factors. Our study explores how polymorphisms in the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) genes affect the association between cigarette smoke exposure and CHDs. We analysed 299 mothers of children with CHDs and 284 mothers of children without any abnormalities who were recruited from six hospitals. The hair nicotine concentration (HNC) was used to quantify maternal smoke exposure, and the maternal GSTT1, and GSTM1 and GSTP1 genes were sequenced. We found a trend of higher adjusted odds ratios with higher maternal HNC levels, suggesting a dose-response relationship between maternal smoke exposure and CHDs. The lowest HNC range associated with an increased risk of CHDs was 0.213-0.319 ng/mg among the mothers with functional deletions of GSTM1 or GSTT1and 0.319-0.573 ng/mg among the mothers with normal copies of GSTM1 and GSTT1. In addition, the adjusted odds ratio for an HNC of >0.573 ng/mg was 38.53 among the mothers with the GSTP1 AG or GG genotype, which was 7.76 (χ(2) = 6.702, p = 0.010) times greater than the AOR in the mothers with GSTP1 AA genotype. Our study suggests that polymorphisms of maternal GST genes may modify the association of maternal smoke exposure with CHDs. PMID:26456689

Pesticide-resistant populations of the predatory mite Metaseiulus (= Typhlodromus or Galendromus) occidentalis (Arthropoda: Chelicerata: Acari: Phytoseiidae) have been used in the biological control of pest mites such as phytophagous Tetranychus urticae. However, the pesticide resistance mechanisms in M. occidentalis remain largely unknown. In other arthropods, members of the glutathione-S-transferase (GST), cytochrome P450 (CYP) and carboxyl/cholinesterase (CCE) gene superfamilies are involved in the diverse biological pathways such as the metabolism of xenobiotics (e.g. pesticides) in addition to hormonal and chemosensory processes. In the current study, we report the identification and initial characterization of 123 genes in the GST, CYP and CCE superfamilies in the recently sequenced M. occidentalis genome. The gene count represents a reduction of 35% compared to T. urticae. The distribution of genes in the GST and CCE superfamilies in M. occidentalis differs significantly from those of insects and resembles that of T. urticae. Specifically, we report the presence of the Mu class GSTs, and the J’ and J” clade CCEs that, within the Arthropoda, appear unique to Acari. Interestingly, the majority of CCEs in the J’ and J” clades contain a catalytic triad, suggesting that they are catalytically active. They likely represent two Acari-specific CCE clades that may participate in detoxification of xenobiotics. The current study of genes in these superfamilies provides preliminary insights into the potential molecular components that may be involved in pesticide metabolism as well as hormonal/chemosensory processes in the agriculturally important M. occidentalis. PMID:27467523

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are widely distributed in cruciferous vegetables and are biologically active against chemical carcinogenesis due to their ability to induce phase II conjugating enzymes. Among these is the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) family of enzymes, which in turn catalyzes the metabolism of ITCs, for which it has high substrate specificity. A recent body of epidemiologic data on the inverse association between cruciferous vegetable/ITC intake and cancers of the colo-rectum, lung and breast, also support that this protective effect is greater among individuals who possess the GSTM1 or T1 null genotype, and who would be expected to accumulate higher levels of ITC at the target tissue level, a pre-requisite for their enzyme-inducing effects. The association between ITC and cancer, and its modification by GST status, is most consistent for lung cancer and appears to be strongest among current smokers. Within limits, a comparison between groups which have been stratified by GST genotype may be less susceptible to confounding by other variables, given the random assortment of genes in gametogenesis. While a more complete understanding of the overall effects on health will need to take into account other components such as indoles and anti-oxidants, the interaction between ITC intake and GST genotype may provide a firmer basis to support a biologically significant role for ITC in cruciferous vegetables. PMID:16019037

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunoprotective effects of recombinant Echinococcus granulosus glutathioneS-transferase (rEgGST) against the development of protoscolices (PSCs), and to determine the mechanisms underlying this protection. ICR mice were subcutaneously immunized three times with rEgGST at weeks 0, 2 and 4, followed by the intraperitoneal administration of E. granulosus PSCs at week 10. Six mice in each group were sacrificed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 10, 18 and 30 weeks following the initial vaccination in order to observe the macroscopic and microscopic effects of parasite development. Various analyses were subsequently conducted, including determination of the levels of immunoglobulins (Igs) and cytokines. Significant differences were observed a number of indices of immune response following immunization with rEgGST. These included reduced cyst formation and elevated levels of IgG1, IgG2a, IgG3, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ, which indicated an increased percentage of immune helper cells. The results of the present study suggest that immunization with rEgGST in mice is able to successfully reduce the PSC-induced formation of cysts and to stimulate an immune response, suggesting that rEgGST possesses potential value as a candidate vaccine for PSC infection. PMID:26622451

Endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, has been used worldwide in the past decades. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of endosulfan on liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and glutathioneS-transferases (GST) in zebrafish. Male and female zebrafish were separated and exposed to a control and four concentrations of endosulfan (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10μgL(-1)) and were sampled on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. After exposure to endosulfan, the content of CYP increased and later gradually fell back to control level in most sampling time intervals. A similar tendency was also found in the activities of NADPH-P450 reductase (NCR), aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND) and erythromycin N-demethylase (ERND). GST activities were generally higher in treatment groups than control groups. Regarding sex-based differences, the induction degree of the activity of NCR was generally higher in males than females. Similar differences were also found on the 28th day in the activities of APND and ERND, as well as GST activity on the 7th day. Overall, the present results demonstrate the toxicity at low doses of endosulfan and indicated marked induction of CYP and GST enzymes in zebrafish liver. PMID:23523001

We describe immunohistochemical studies of the expression of alpha and pi class glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) in normal fetal kidneys. These define, in greater detail, changes in expression of alpha isoforms in the proximal tubule. At about 36 weeks of gestation expression of alpha isoforms was down-regulated in the distal tubules and collecting ducts while pi was expressed throughout the nephron. Tubular expression of alpha isoforms was restricted to the part adjacent to the glomerulus; cells farthest from the glomerulus were negative. After 40 weeks of gestation, alpha isoforms were expressed along the entire proximal tubule, while pi was restricted to the distal tubule and collecting ducts. GST expression was also studied in multicystic renal dysplasia, autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease to determine whether the patterns of expression of alpha and pi isoforms allow identification of the origin of the cysts that characterize these diseases. Cysts were lined by epithelia that were strongly positive for alpha and pi isoforms. The epithelia of noncystic nephrons in renal cystic dysplasia demonstrated delayed maturity, suggesting that GST expression was dependent on the stage of development and not length of gestation. PMID:8066005

In insects, rapid degradation of odorants in antennae is extremely important for the sensitivity of olfactory receptor neurons. Odorant degradation in insect antennae is mediated by multiple enzymes, especially the carboxylesterases (CXEs) and glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs). The Asiatic rice borer, Chilo suppressalis, is an economically important lepidopteran pest which causes great economic damage to cultivated rice crops in many Asian countries. In this study, we identified 19 putative CXE and 16 GST genes by analyzing previously constructed antennal transcriptomes of C. suppressalis. BLASTX best hit results showed that these genes are most homologous to their respective orthologs in other lepidopteran species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that these CXE and GST genes were clustered into various clades. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays showed that three CXE genes (CsupCXE8, CsupCXE13, and CsupCXE18) are antennae-enriched. These genes are candidates for involvement in odorant degradation. Unexpectedly, none of the GST genes were found to be antennae-specific. Our results pave the way for future researches of the odorant degradation mechanism of C. suppressalis at the molecular level. PMID:26198868

TER286 is a latent drug activated by human glutathioneS-transferase (GST) isoforms P1-1 and A1-1 to produce a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent. M7609 human colon carcinoma, selected for resistance to doxorubicin, and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma, selected for resistance to cyclophosphamide, both showed increased sensitivity to TER286 over their parental lines in parallel with increased expression of GST P1-1. In primary human tumor clonogenic assays, the spectrum of cytotoxic activity observed for TER286 was both broad and unusual when compared to a variety of current drugs. In murine xenografts of M7609 engineered to have high, medium, or low GST P1-1, responses to TER286 were positively correlated with the level of P1-1. Cytotoxicity was also observed in several other cell culture and xenograft models. In xenografts of the MX-1 human breast carcinoma, tumor growth inhibition or regression was observed in nearly all of the animals treated with an aggressive regimen of five daily doses. This schedule resulted in a 24-h posttreatment decline in bone marrow progenitors to 60% of control and was no worse than for a single dose of TER286. These studies have motivated election of TER286 as a clinical candidate. PMID:9635580

Proanthocyanidins (PAC) are a class of plant secondary metabolites commonly found in the diet that have shown potential to control gastrointestinal nematode infections. The anti-parasitic mechanism(s) of PAC remain obscure, however the protein-binding properties of PAC suggest that disturbance of key enzyme functions may be a potential mode of action. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are essential for parasite detoxification and have been investigated as drug and vaccine targets. Here, we show that purified PAC strongly inhibit the activity of both recombinant and native GSTs from the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum. As GSTs are involved in detoxifying xenobiotic substances within the parasite, we hypothesised that this inhibition may render parasites hyper-susceptible to anthelmintic drugs. Migration inhibition assays with A. suum larvae demonstrated that the potency of levamisole (LEV) and ivermectin (IVM) were significantly increased in the presence of PAC purified from pine bark (4.6-fold and 3.2-fold reduction in IC50 value for LEV and IVM, respectively). Synergy analysis revealed that the relationship between PAC and LEV appeared to be synergistic in nature, suggesting a specific enhancement of LEV activity, whilst the relationship between PAC and IVM was additive rather than synergistic, suggesting independent actions. Our results demonstrate that these common dietary compounds may increase the efficacy of synthetic anthelmintic drugs in vitro, and also suggest one possible mechanism for their well-known anti-parasitic activity. PMID:27094225

Plants have evolved complex processes to ward off attacks by insects. In parallel, insects have evolved mechanisms to thwart these plant defenses. To gain insight into mechanisms that mediate this arms race between plants and herbivorous insects, we investigated the interactions between gramine, a toxin synthesized by plants of the family Gramineae, and glutathioneStransferase (GST), an enzyme found in insects that is known to detoxify xenobiotics. Here, we demonstrate that rice (Oryza sativa), a hydrophytic plant, also produces gramine and that rice resistance to brown planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens, BPHs) is highly associated with in planta gramine content. We also show that gramine is a toxicant that causes BPH mortality in vivo and that knockdown of BPH GST gene nlgst1-1 results in increased sensitivity to diets containing gramine. These results suggest that the knockdown of key detoxification genes in sap-sucking insects may provide an avenue for increasing their sensitivity to natural plant-associated defense mechanisms. PMID:23700450

Extensive subfunctionalization might explain why so many genes have been maintained after gene duplication, which provides the engine for gene family expansion. However, it is still a particular challenge to trace the evolutionary dynamics and features of functional divergences in a supergene family over the course of evolution. In this study, we identified 49 GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) genes from the Capsella rubella, a close relative of Arabidopsis thaliana and a member of the mustard family. Capsella GSTs can be categorized into eight classes, with tau and phi GSTs being the most numerous. The expansion of the two classes mainly occurs through tandem gene duplication, which results in tandem-arrayed gene clusters on chromosomes. By integrating phylogenetic analysis, expression patterns, and biochemical functions of Capsella and Arabidopsis GSTs, functional divergence, both in gene expression and enzymatic properties, were clearly observed in paralogous gene pairs in Capsella (even the most recent duplicates), and orthologous GSTs in Arabidopsis/Capsella. This study provides functional evidence for the expansion and organization of a large gene family in closely related species.

We have developed a simple system for rapid detection and measurement of glutathioneS-transferase placental form (GSTP1) that detoxify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using the cultured rat normal liver epithelial cell line, (RL34) cells. Survey of fruit extracts for GST inducing ability identified both papaya and avocado as significant sources. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was isolated from papaya methanol extract as a principal inducer of GST activity. Further, the GST inducing ability of a total of 20 isothiocyanates (ITCs) and their derivatives was investigated. Some ITCs showed significant induction, and BITC was one of the most potent inducers among all compounds tested in the present study. The modification of isothiocyanate group (-NCS) or introduction of substituent group to the alpha-carbon modifies GST induction. Moreover, a significant correlation (P<0.01, r=0.913) between the GST activity enrichment and GSTP1 protein induction by ITCs was observed. We also indicated that phenethyl ITC and nitrophenyl ITC, potently inducing GST activity, but not inactive benzyl isocyanate, are potential inducers of intracellular reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs). Our system of GSTP1 induction is appropriate for the chemical research such as screening and identification of novel type of inducers as well as the structure-activity relationship studies, providing mechanistic insight into essential structural elements for GSTP1 induction. PMID:10936680

Abamectin resistance was selected in the vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza sativae (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) under laboratory conditions, and cross-resistance patterns and possible resistance mechanisms in the abamectin-resistant strains (AL-R, AF-R) were investigated. Compared with the susceptible strain (SS), strain AL-R displayed 39-fold resistance to abamectin after 20 selection cycles during 25 generations, and strain AF-R exhibited 59-fold resistance to abamectin after 16 selection cycles during 22 generations. No cross-resistance to cyromazine was found in both abamectin-resistant strains. However, we failed to select for cyromazine resistance in L. sativae under laboratory conditions by conducting 17 selection cycles during 22 generations. However, moderate levels of cross-resistance to abamectin (6-9 fold) were observed in strains which received cyromazine treatments. Biochemical analysis showed that glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity in both abamectin-resistant strains (AL-R, AF-R) was significantly higher than in the susceptible strain (SS), suggesting metabolically driven resistance to abamectinin L. sativae. Recommendations of mixtures or rotation of cyromazine and abamectin should be considered carefully, as consecutive cyromazine treatments may select for low-level cross-resistance to abamectin. PMID:25813391

Heavy metals and organophosphorus insecticide is known to act as disruptors for the enzyme system, leading to physiologic disorders. The present study was conducted to investigate the potential use of these enzymes as biomarkers in assessment of contaminated sediments on tropical chironomid species. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and metallothionein (MT) activity was measured in the fourth-instar chironomid larvae, Chironomus javanus, Kieffer, after either 48-hr or 96-hr exposure to organophosphorus insecticide, chlorpyrifos (0.01- 0.25 mg kg(-1)) or heavy metal cadmium (0.1-25 mg kg(-1)). Exposure to chlorpyrifos (0.01 mg kg(-1)) at 48 and 96 hr significantly of AChE activity (64.2%-85.9%) and induced GST activity (33.9-63.8%) when compared with control (P < 0.05). Moreover, exposure to cadmium (0.1 mg kg(-1)) at 48 and 96 hr also showed significant increas GST activity (11.7-40%) and MT level (9.0%-70.5%) when compared with control (P < 0.05). The results indicated the impact of enzyme activity on chlorpyrifos and cadmium contamination. Activity of AChE, GST and MT could serve as potential biomarkers for assessment and biomonitoring the effects of insecticide and heavy metal contamination in tropical aquatic ecosystems. PMID:26688973

Transcriptional activation of phase II enzymes including glutathione-S-transferase pi class (Gst Pi) is important for redox regulation and defense from xenobiotics. The role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) and protein kinase B (Akt) in regulation of Gst Pi expression has been described using adult mammalian cells. Whether these signaling pathways contribute to Gst Pi expression during embryogenesis is unknown. Using zebrafish embryo model, we provide novel evidence that Erk signaling acts as a specific suppressor of gstp1-2 mRNA during early embryogenesis. Addition of Erk inhibitor U0126 enhanced gstp1-2 mRNA expression during transition from blastula to the segmentation stage and from pharyngula until the hatching stage. Basal Erk activity did not affect gstp1-2 expression in tert-butylhydroquinone-exposed embryos. Addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate increased Erk activity leading to suppression of gstp1-2 mRNA. Activation of cAMP/Creb pathway by forskolin prevented gstp1-2 expression, whereas U0126 suppressed Creb phosphorylation, thus setting up Creb as a proximal transmitter of Erk inhibitory effect. Collectively, these findings suggest that Erk-Creb pathway exerts suppressive effect on gstp1-2 mRNA in a narrow developmental window. This study also provides a novel link between Erk and gstp1-2 expression, setting apart a possible differential regulation of gstp1-2 in adult and embryonic cells. PMID:26494252

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) arise through various combinations of genetic and environmental factors. Our study explores how polymorphisms in the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) genes affect the association between cigarette smoke exposure and CHDs. We analysed 299 mothers of children with CHDs and 284 mothers of children without any abnormalities who were recruited from six hospitals. The hair nicotine concentration (HNC) was used to quantify maternal smoke exposure, and the maternal GSTT1, and GSTM1 and GSTP1 genes were sequenced. We found a trend of higher adjusted odds ratios with higher maternal HNC levels, suggesting a dose-response relationship between maternal smoke exposure and CHDs. The lowest HNC range associated with an increased risk of CHDs was 0.213–0.319 ng/mg among the mothers with functional deletions of GSTM1 or GSTT1and 0.319–0.573 ng/mg among the mothers with normal copies of GSTM1 and GSTT1. In addition, the adjusted odds ratio for an HNC of >0.573 ng/mg was 38.53 among the mothers with the GSTP1 AG or GG genotype, which was 7.76 (χ2 = 6.702, p = 0.010) times greater than the AOR in the mothers with GSTP1 AA genotype. Our study suggests that polymorphisms of maternal GST genes may modify the association of maternal smoke exposure with CHDs. PMID:26456689

Estrogen exposure through early menarche, late menopause, and hormone replacement therapy increases the risk factor for hormone-dependent cancers. Although the molecular mechanisms are not completely established, DNA damage by quinone electrophilic reactive intermediates, derived from estrogen oxidative metabolism, is strongly implicated. A current hypothesis has 4-hydroxyestrone-o-quinone (4-OQE) acting as the proximal estrogen carcinogen, forming depurinating DNA adducts via Michael addition. One aspect of this hypothesis posits a key role for NAD(P)H-dependent quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) in the reduction of 4-OQE and protection against estrogen carcinogenesis, despite two reports that 4-OQE is not a substrate for NQO1. 4-OQE is rapidly and efficiently trapped by GSH, allowing measurement of NADPH-dependent reduction of 4-OQE in the presence and absence of NQO1. 4-OQE was observed to be a substrate for NQO1, but the acceleration of NADPH-dependent reduction by NQO1 over the nonenzymic reaction is less than 10-fold and at more relevant nanomolar concentrations of substrate is less than 2-fold. An alternative detoxifying enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase, was observed to be a target for 4-OQE, rapidly undergoing covalent modification. These results indicate that a key role for NQO1 and GST in direct detoxification of 4-hydroxy-estrogen quinones is problematic. PMID:18588320

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) play a key role in detoxification of xenobiotics in organisms. However, their other functions, especially response to the natural toxin cantharidin produced by beetles in the Meloidae and Oedemeridae families, are less known. We obtained GST cDNAs from three sources: Cydia pomonella (CpGSTd1), Sus scrofa (SsGSTα1), and Triticum aestivum (TaGSTf3). The predicted molecular mass is 24.19, 25.28 and 24.49 kDa, respectively. These proteins contain typical N-terminal and C-terminal domains. Recombinant GSTs were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli as soluble fusion proteins. Their optimal activities are exhibited at pH 7.0-7.5 at 30 °C. Activity of CpGSTd1 is strongly inhibited by cantharidin and cantharidic acid, but is only slightly suppressed by the demethylated analog of cantharidin and cantharidic acid. Enzymatic assays revealed that cantharidin has no effect on SsGSTα1 activity, while it significantly stimulates TaGSTf3 activity, with an EC50 value of 0.3852 mM. Activities of these proteins are potently inhibited by the known GST competitive inhibitor: S-hexylglutathione (GTX). Our results suggest that these GSTs from different sources share similar structural and biochemical characteristics. Our results also suggest that CpGSTd1 might act as a binding protein with cantharidin and its analogs. PMID:25640718

1. The effects of alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocotrienol on glutathioneS-transferase (GST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) activities in cultured hepatocytes prepared from rats treated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) were investigated. 2. Both the alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocotrienol treated hepatocytes showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) GST activities than untreated hepatocytes prepared from the carcinogen treated rats in the first 3 days of culture. Treatment with alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocotrienol generally resulted in a tendency to increase the GST activities above that in the untreated hepatocytes. 3. Treatment with high doses (125-250 microM) of alpha-tocopherol and low doses (12.5-25 microM) of gamma-tocotrienol generally resulted in a significant reduction in gamma-GT activities at 1-3 days. gamma-GT activities are reduced as the dose of alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocotrienol are increased. PMID:7910569

Pesticide-resistant populations of the predatory mite Metaseiulus (= Typhlodromus or Galendromus) occidentalis (Arthropoda: Chelicerata: Acari: Phytoseiidae) have been used in the biological control of pest mites such as phytophagous Tetranychus urticae. However, the pesticide resistance mechanisms in M. occidentalis remain largely unknown. In other arthropods, members of the glutathione-S-transferase (GST), cytochrome P450 (CYP) and carboxyl/cholinesterase (CCE) gene superfamilies are involved in the diverse biological pathways such as the metabolism of xenobiotics (e.g. pesticides) in addition to hormonal and chemosensory processes. In the current study, we report the identification and initial characterization of 123 genes in the GST, CYP and CCE superfamilies in the recently sequenced M. occidentalis genome. The gene count represents a reduction of 35% compared to T. urticae. The distribution of genes in the GST and CCE superfamilies in M. occidentalis differs significantly from those of insects and resembles that of T. urticae. Specifically, we report the presence of the Mu class GSTs, and the J' and J" clade CCEs that, within the Arthropoda, appear unique to Acari. Interestingly, the majority of CCEs in the J' and J" clades contain a catalytic triad, suggesting that they are catalytically active. They likely represent two Acari-specific CCE clades that may participate in detoxification of xenobiotics. The current study of genes in these superfamilies provides preliminary insights into the potential molecular components that may be involved in pesticide metabolism as well as hormonal/chemosensory processes in the agriculturally important M. occidentalis. PMID:27467523

The occupational chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) selectively destroys ovarian small pre-antral follicles in rats and mice via apoptosis. Detoxification of VCD can occur through glutathione conjugation, catalyzed by glutathioneS-transferase (GST) enzymes. Further, GST class pi (GSTp) can negatively regulate JNK activity through protein:protein interactions in extra-ovarian tissues. Dissociation of this protein complex in the face of chemical exposure releases the inhibition of pro-apoptotic JNK. Increased JNK activity during VCD-induced ovotoxicity has been shown in isolated ovarian small pre-antral follicles following in vivo dosing of rats (80 mg/kg/day; 15 days, i.p.). The present study investigated the pattern of ovarian GSTp expression during VCD exposure. Additionally, the effect of VCD on an ovarian GSTp:JNK protein complex was investigated. PND4 F344 rat ovaries were incubated in control medium {+-} VCD (30 {mu}M) for 2-8 days. VCD increased ovarian GSTp mRNA (P < 0.05) relative to control on d4-d8; whereas GSTp protein was increased (P < 0.05) on d6-d8. A GSTp:JNK protein complex was detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting in ovarian tissues. Relative to control, the amount of GSTp-bound JNK was increased (P = 0.09), while unbound JNK was decreased (P < 0.05) on d6 of VCD exposure. The VCD-induced decrease in unbound JNK was preceded by a decrease in phosphorylated c-Jun which occurred on d4. These findings are in support of a possible dual protective role for GSTp in the rat ovary, consisting of metabolism of VCD and inhibition of JNK-initiated apoptosis.

Abstract Aim: Genetic factors are important for outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI), although exact knowledge of relevant genes/pathways is still lacking. We here used an unbiased approach to define differentially activated pathways between the inbred DA and PVG rat strains. The results prompted us to study further if a naturally occurring genetic variation in glutathione-S-transferase alpha 4 (Gsta4) affects the outcome after TBI. Results: Survival of neurons after experimental TBI is increased in PVG compared to the DA strain. Global expression profiling analysis shows the glutathione metabolism pathway to be the most regulated between the strains, with increased Gsta4 in PVG among top regulated transcripts. A congenic strain (R5) with a PVG genomic insert containing the Gsta4 gene on DA background displays a reversal of the strain pattern for Gsta4 expression and increased survival of neurons compared to DA. Gsta4 is known to effectively reduce 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a noxious by-product of lipid peroxidation. Immunostaining of 4-HNE was evident in both rat and human TBI. Intracerebral injection of 4-HNE resulted in neurodegeneration with increased levels of a marker for nerve injury in cerebrospinal fluid of DA compared to R5. Innovation: These findings provide strong support for the notion that the inherent capability of coping with increased 4-HNE after TBI affects outcome in terms of nerve cell loss. Conclusion: A naturally occurring variation in Gsta4 expression in rats affects neurodegeneration after TBI. Further studies are needed to explore if genetic variability in Gsta4 can be associated to outcome also in human TBI. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 18, 784–794. PMID:22881716

Hemorrhagic cystitis and diffuse inflammation of the bladder, common side effects of cyclophosphamide (CY) treatment, have been linked to the generation of acrolein derived from CY metabolism. Metabolic removal of acrolein involves multiple pathways, which include reduction, oxidation, and conjugation with glutathione. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that glutathioneS-transferase P (GSTP), the GST isoform that displays high catalytic efficiency with acrolein, protects against CY-induced urotoxicity by detoxifying acrolein. Treatment of wild-type (WT) and mGstP1/P2 null (GSTP-null) mice with CY caused hemorrhagic cystitis, edema, albumin extravasation, and sloughing of bladder epithelium; however, CY-induced bladder ulcerations of the lamina propria were more numerous and more severe in GSTP-null mice. CY treatment also led to greater accumulation of myeloperoxidase-positive cells and specific protein-acrolein adducts in the bladder of GSTP-null than WT mice. There was no difference in hepatic microsomal production of acrolein from CY or urinary hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid output between WT and GSTP-null mice, but CY induced greater c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and c-Jun, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase or p38, activation in GSTP-null than in WT mice. Pretreatment with mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium) abolished CY toxicity and JNK activation in GSTP-null mice. Taken together, these data support the view that GSTP prevents CY-induced bladder toxicity, in part by detoxifying acrolein. Because polymorphisms in human GSTP gene code for protein variants differing significantly in their catalytic efficiency toward acrolein, it is likely that GSTP polymorphisms influence CY urotoxicity. In addition, pretreatment with dietary or nutrient inducers of GSTP may be of use in minimizing bladder injury in patients undergoing CY therapy. PMID:19696094

The occupational chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) selectively destroys ovarian small pre-antral follicles in rats and mice via apoptosis. Detoxification of VCD can occur through glutathione conjugation, catalyzed by glutathioneS-transferase (GST) enzymes. Further, GST class pi (GSTp) can negatively regulate JNK activity through protein:protein interactions in extra-ovarian tissues. Dissociation of this protein complex in the face of chemical exposure releases the inhibition of pro-apoptotic JNK. Increased JNK activity during VCD-induced ovotoxicity has been shown in isolated ovarian small pre-antral follicles following in vivo dosing of rats (80mg/kg/day; 15days, i.p.). The present study investigated the pattern of ovarian GSTp expression during VCD exposure. Additionally, the effect of VCD on an ovarian GSTp:JNK protein complex was investigated. PND4 F344 rat ovaries were incubated in control medium+/-VCD (30muM) for 2-8days. VCD increased ovarian GSTp mRNA (P <0.05) relative to control on d4-d8; whereas GSTp protein was increased (P<0.05) on d6-d8. A GSTp:JNK protein complex was detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting in ovarian tissues. Relative to control, the amount of GSTp-bound JNK was increased (P=0.09), while unbound JNK was decreased (P<0.05) on d6 of VCD exposure. The VCD-induced decrease in unbound JNK was preceded by a decrease in phosphorylated c-Jun which occurred on d4. These findings are in support of a possible dual protective role for GSTp in the rat ovary, consisting of metabolism of VCD and inhibition of JNK-initiated apoptosis. PMID:20542051

Defense mechanisms in rat liver against depletion of glutathione (GSH) and cellular injuries induced by ethylene oxide (EO) were studied. Rats were exposed to EO under either high dose (1300 ppm for 4 hr, once) or low dose (500 ppm for 6 hr, three times a week for 6 weeks) conditions. The hepatic content of GSH decreased dramatically after EO treatment, probably due to detoxication of EO. After the high dose treatment the hepatic GSH content fell by 90% of the control values but recovered within 10 to 15 hr. EO reacts directly with a variety of cellular macromolecules but all rats survived the exposure. Since the metabolites of EO are ethylene glycol and GSH-conjugates, the enzymatic activities of epoxide hydrolase and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were determined. Only GST activity was found to occur after low dose chronic exposure. The defense mechanism at mRNA level was investigated using probes for GST and several heat-shock proteins (hsps). Enhanced accumulation of GST mRNA was detectable during the recovery period of rats after both high and low dose exposure to EO. Interestingly, both hsp32 (less than 40-fold) and hsp90 (less than 3-fold) mRNA increased after high dose exposure but the mRNA level of one of the major heat-shock proteins, hsp70, did not change under these conditions. Diethylmaleate, which is known to be a GSH depleter in liver, induced hsp32 mRNA only in rat liver, while hsp70 and hsp90 mRNA levels did not change when GSH was depleted. These results suggest that individual heat-shock proteins are induced in different ways under unphysiological conditions such as EO exposure. PMID:1888334

The glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of genes whose products are phase II enzymes, catalyzing the conjugation of reactive intermediates to soluble glutathione. Some of the GSTs are polymorphic and may play a role in lung cancer susceptibility. We investigated whether genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1 genes modulated lung cancer risk and affect survival among lung cancer patients. We determined the GST genotypes in 422 study subjects, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Logistic Regression analysis was carried out to find the association of various polymorphisms and GSTs and lung cancer. The influence of the genetic polymorphisms on patient survival was estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier survival function. Cox Proportional Hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for deaths. GSTT1 -/- genotype conferred a higher odds ratio of 2.9 (P = 0.001) compared to the GSTT1+/+. So also, the GSTP1 GG genotype too had higher risk compared to the GSTP1 AA genotype (OR = 2.3, P = 0.033). When the combined GST M1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotypes were examined, patients with the combinations GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null had a significant OR of 3.6. So also the combinations GSTT1-/- GSTP1 AA (P = 0.005) and GSTT1-/- GSTP1 AG/GG (P = 0.001) came out to be significant. There were some significant interactions between GST genotypes with tobacco smoking and also for clinicopathological factors. Regarding survival analysis, no association of GSTM1 or GSTP1 genes with survival was noted. The GSTT1 -/- genotype along with stage was significantly associated with overall survival and found to be an independent prognostic factors for shorter lung cancer survival. PMID:18472644

A series of nonpeptidic glutathione analogues where the peptide bonds were replaced by simple carbon-carbon bonds or isosteric E double bonds were prepared. The optimal length for the two alkyl chains on either side of the mercaptomethyl group was evaluated using structure-affinity relationships. Affinities of the analogues 14a-f, 23, and 25 were evaluated for a recombinant GST enzyme using a new affinity chromatography method previously developed in our laboratory. Analysis of these analogues gives an additional understanding for GST affinity requirements: (a) the carbon skeleton must conserve that of glutathione since analogue 14a showed the best affinity (IC50 = 5.2 microM); (b) the GST G site is not able to accommodate a chain length elongation of one methylene group (no affinity for analogues 14c,f); (c) a one-methylene group chain length reduction is tolerated, much more for the "Glu side" (14d, IC50 = 10.1 microM) than for the "Gly side" (14b, IC50 = 1800 microM); (d) the mercaptomethyl group must remain at position 5 as shown from the null affinity of the 6-mercaptomethyl analogue 14e; (e) the additional peptide isosteric E double bond (25) or hydroxyl derivative (23) in 14e did not help to retrieve affinity. This work reveals useful information for the design of new selective nonpeptidic and peptidase-stable glutathione analogues. PMID:9632361

Glutathione (GSH) S-transferase is a major detoxification enzyme system that catalyzes the binding of a variety of electrophiles, including reactive forms of chemical carcinogens, to GSH. Green coffee beans fed in the diet induced increased GSH S-transferase activity in the mucosa of the small intestine and in the liver of mice. A potent compound that induces increased GSH S-transferase activity was isolated from green coffee beans and identified as kahweol palmitate. The corresponding free alcohol, kahweol, and its synthetic monoacetate are also potent inducers of the activity of GSH S-transferase. A similar diterpene ester, cafestol palmitate, isolated from green coffee beans was active but less so than was kahweol palmitate. Likewise, the corresponding alcohol, cafestol, and its monoacetate showed moderate potency as inducers of increased GSH S-transferase activity. Kahweol palmitate and cafestol palmitate were extracted from green coffee beans into petroleum ether. The petroleum ether extract was fractionated by preparative normal-phase and reverse-phase liquid chromatographies successively. Final purification with silver nitrate-impregnated thin-layer chromatography yielded the pure palmitates of cafestol and kahweol. The structures were determined by examination of the spectroscopic data of the esters and their parent alcohols and by derivative comparison. PMID:7059995

Pesticide detoxification is a central feature of selective toxicity and safety evaluation. Two of the principal enzymes involved are GSH S-transferases (GSTs) and cytochrome P450s acting alone and together. More than 100 pesticides are organophosphorus (OP) compounds, but with few exceptions, their GSH conjugates have not been directly observed in vitro or in vivo. The major insecticides chlorpyrifos (CP) and diazinon are of particular interest as multifunctional substrates with diverse metabolites, while ClP(S)(OEt) 2 and the cotton defoliant tribufos are possible precursors of phosphorylated GSH conjugates. Formation of GSH conjugates by GST with GSH was studied in vitro with and without metabolic activation by human liver microsomes or P450 3A4 with NADPH. Metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Five GSH conjugates were identified from CP and chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO), i.e., GSCP and GSCPO in which the 6-chloro substituent of CP and CPO, respectively, is displaced by GSH; S-(3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-yl)glutathione; S-(3,5-dichloro-6-hydroxypyridin-2-yl)glutathione; and S-ethylglutathione. GST of a human liver microsomal preparation but not P450 3A4 with GSH metabolized CP to GSCP. With GST and GSH, diazinon and diazoxon gave S-(2-isopropyl-4-methylpyrimidin-6-yl)glutathione and ClP(S)(OEt) 2 yielded GSP(S)(OEt) 2. With microsomes, NADPH, GST, and GSH tribufos gave GSP(O)(SBu) 2. The liver of intraperitoneally treated mice contained GSCP from CP, GSP(S)(OEt) 2 from ClP(S)(OEt) 2, and GSP(O)(SBu) 2 from tribufos. GSP(S)(OEt) 2 and GSP(O)(SBu) 2 are the first S-phosphoglutathione metabolites observed in vitro and in vivo directly by LC-ESI-MS. Nine other OP pesticides gave only O-dealkylation in the GST/GSH system. GST-catalyzed metabolism joins P450s and hydrolases as important contributors to OP detoxification. PMID:17645302

Background GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are important enzymes for protection against oxidative stress. In addition, MTHFR has an essential role in DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation. Their polymorphisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of selected polymorphisms in these genes in the development of UC in the Moldavian population. Methods In a case-control study including 128 UC patients and 136 healthy individuals, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes (polymorphic deletions) were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GSTP1 rs1695 (Ile105Val), MTHFR rs1801133 (C677T), and MTHFR rs1801131 (A1298C) polymorphisms were studied with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Genotype–phenotype correlations were examined using logistic regression analysis. Results None of the genotypes, either alone or in combination, showed a strong association with UC. The case-only sub-phenotypic association analysis showed an association of the MTHFR rs1801133 polymorphism with the extent of UC under co-dominant (p corrected = 0.040) and recessive (p corrected = 0.020; OR = 0.15; CI = 0.04–0.63) genetic models. Also, an association between the MTHFR rs1801131 polymorphism and the severity of UC was reported for the over-dominant model (p corrected = 0.023; coefficient = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.10–0.54). Conclusion The GST and MTHFR genotypes do not seem to be a relevant risk factor for UC in our sample. There was, however, evidence that variants in MTHFR may influence the clinical features in UC patients. Additional larger studies investigating the relationship between GST and MTHFR polymorphisms and UC are required. PMID:26862484

To elucidate the role of genetic factors in arsenic metabolism, we investigated associations of genetic polymorphisms in the members of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) superfamily with the arsenic concentrations in hair and urine, and urinary arsenic profile in residents in the Red River Delta, Vietnam. Genotyping was conducted for GST omega1 (GSTO1) Ala140Asp, Glu155del, Glu208Lys, Thr217Asn, and Ala236Val, GST omega2 (GSTO2) Asn142Asp, GST pi1 (GSTP1) Ile105Val, GST mu1 (GSTM1) wild/null, and GST theta1 (GSTT1) wild/null. There were no mutation alleles for GSTO1 Glu208Lys, Thr217Asn, and Ala236Val in this population. GSTO1 Glu155del hetero type showed higher urinary concentration of As{sup V} than the wild homo type. Higher percentage of DMA{sup V} in urine of GSTM1 wild type was observed compared with that of the null type. Strong correlations between GSTP1 Ile105Val and arsenic exposure level and profile were observed in this study. Especially, heterozygote of GSTP1 Ile105Val had a higher metabolic capacity from inorganic arsenic to monomethyl arsenic, while the opposite trend was observed for ability of metabolism from As{sup V} to As{sup III}. Furthermore, other factors including sex, age, body mass index, arsenic level in drinking water, and genotypes of As (+ 3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) were also significantly co-associated with arsenic level and profile in the Vietnamese. To our knowledge, this is the first study indicating the associations of genetic factors of GST superfamily with arsenic metabolism in a Vietnamese population.

The chemopreventive property of garlic is related in part to its induction of phase II detoxification enzymes. In the present study, we investigated the modulatory effect of 3 garlic organosulfur compounds, i.e., diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), and diallyl trisulfide (DATS), which differ in their number of sulfur atoms, on the gene expression of the pi class of glutathioneS-transferase (GSTP). Hepatocytes isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured with 50-200 micromol/L of DAS, DADS, or DATS for 24 h. DADS and DATS increased GST activity toward ethacrynic acid by 40 and 66%, respectively (P < 0.05). Moreover, both garlic allyl sulfides dose dependently induced GSTP mRNA and protein expression. DATS increased the protein level more than DADS (P < 0.05). In contrast, DAS did not affect the activity or the protein or mRNA levels of this phase II drug-metabolizing enzyme. In Clone 9 liver cells, the pTA-luciferase reporter assay showed that luciferase activity in DADS- and DATS-treated cells was 2.8- and 3.9-fold higher than that in control cells, respectively (P < 0.05). Again, luciferase activity was not affected by treatment with DAS. Deletion of -2.7 to -2.6 kb in the GSTP promoter region, which contains the GSTP enhancer (GPE) I element, abolished the upregulation of GSTP transcription by DADS and DATS. Deletion of GPE II, however, did not affect the induction of reporter activity. In conclusion, the effectiveness of 3 garlic allyl sulfides on GSTP expression was related to the number of sulfur atoms in the molecules, and GPE I was responsible for this upregulation. PMID:16251611

Detoxification is a fundamental cellular stress defense mechanism, which allows an organism to survive or even thrive in the presence of environmental toxins and/or pollutants. The glutathioneS-transferase (GST) superfamily is a set of enzymes involved in the detoxification process. This highly diverse protein superfamily is characterized by multiple gene duplications, with over 40 GST genes reported in some insects. However, less is known about the GST superfamily in marine organisms, including crustaceans. The availability of two de novo transcriptomes for the copepod, Calanus finmarchicus, provided an opportunity for an in depth study of the GST superfamily in a marine crustacean. The transcriptomes were searched for putative GST-encoding transcripts using known GST proteins from three arthropods as queries. The identified transcripts were then translated into proteins, analyzed for structural domains, and annotated using reciprocal BLAST analysis. Mining the two transcriptomes yielded a total of 41 predicted GST proteins belonging to the cytosolic, mitochondrial or microsomal classes. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytosolic GSTs validated their annotation into six different subclasses. The predicted proteins are likely to represent the products of distinct genes, suggesting that the diversity of GSTs in C. finmarchicus exceeds or rivals that described for insects. Analysis of relative gene expression in different developmental stages indicated low levels of GST expression in embryos, and relatively high expression in late copepodites and adult females for several cytosolic GSTs. A diverse diet and complex life history are factors that might be driving the multiplicity of GSTs in C. finmarchicus, as this copepod is commonly exposed to a variety of natural toxins. Hence, diversity in detoxification pathway proteins may well be key to their survival. PMID:25945801

Highlights: • GSTP induces the classical ERα signaling event. • The functional GSTP is a prerequisite for GSTP-induced ERα transcription activity. • The expression of RIP140, a transcription cofactor, was inhibited by GSTP protein. • We propose the novel non-enzymatic role of GSTP. - Abstract: Estrogen receptor α (ERα) plays a crucial role in estrogen-mediated signaling pathways and exerts its action as a nuclear transcription factor. Binding of the ligand-activated ERα to the estrogen response element (ERE) is a central part of ERα-associated signal transduction pathways and its aberrant modulation is associated with many disease conditions. Human glutathioneS-transferase P1-1 (GSTP) functions as an enzyme in conjugation reactions in drug metabolism and as a regulator of kinase signaling pathways. It is overexpressed in tumors following chemotherapy and has been associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer. In this study, a novel regulatory function of GSTP has been proposed in which GSTP modulates ERE-mediated ERα signaling events. Ectopic expression of GSTP was able to induce the ERα and ERE-mediated transcriptional activities in ERα-positive but GSTP-negative MCF7 human breast cancer cells. This inductive effect of GSTP on the ERE-transcription activity was diminished when the cells express a mutated form of the enzyme or are treated with a GSTP-specific chemical inhibitor. It was found that GSTP inhibited the expression of the receptor interacting protein 140 (RIP140), a negative regulator of ERα transcription, at both mRNA and protein levels. Our study suggests a novel non-enzymatic role of GSTP which plays a significant role in regulating the classical ERα signaling pathways via modification of transcription cofactors such as RIP140.

Worm burden, hepatic damage and local cellular and humoral immune responses were assessed in goats immunized with glutathione-S-transferase and challenged with Fasciola hepatica. Infected but unimmunized and uninfected control groups were also studied. Hepatic damage was evaluated grossly and microscopically. Local immune response was evaluated by (1) microscopical examination of hepatic lymph nodes (HLNs); (2) analysis of the distribution of CD2(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), T-cell receptor gammadelta(+) lymphocytes and immunoglobulin (Ig) G(+) plasma cells; and (3) investigation of the distribution of cells expressing interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in the hepatic inflammatory infiltrates and HLNs. Immunized animals did not have significant reduction in fluke number, but there was significant (P<0.05) reduction of fluke size relative to the control groups. The lesions in the two infected groups were similar and consisted of fibrous perihepatitis and white tortuous tracts, mainly involving the left hepatic lobe. Microscopical lesions were similar in both infected groups and were typical of chronic fascioliosis. These included portal fibrosis, inflammatory infiltration with plasma cells, formation of lymphoid follicles, accumulation of haemosiderin-laden macrophages and granulomatous foci. Both infected groups had a marked local immune response characterized by infiltration of CD2(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes, and IgG(+) plasma cells in hepatic lesions and in HLNs. There was no expression of IL-4 or INF-gamma by cells in the hepatic inflammatory infiltrate, but expression of INF-gamma in HLNs was much lower than that of IL-4, suggesting an immune response dominated by T helper 2 cells. PMID:20185148

The antioxidant glutathione-S-transferase (GST) is a crucial determinant of the development of ischaemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury, and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways involved in stress response and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether inhibition of GST can abolish the benefit of ischaemic postconditioning (IPoC). A neonatal rat cardiomyocyte cell culture was prepared and divided into 6 groups: (I) control group without treatment; (II) cells exposed to simulated I/R; (III) simulated I/R (sI/R) with IPoC; (IV) ethacrynic acid (EA) alone; (V) sI/R with EA; and (VI) sI/R and IPoC together with EA. Viability of the cells was measured by MTT assay, the quantity of apoptotic cells was assessed by flow cytometry following annexin V-FITC - propidium-iodide double staining. The activation of JNK, p38, ERK/p42-p44 MAPKs, and GSK-3β protein kinase was determined by flow-cytometric assay. GST inhibition markedly increased the apoptosis and decreased the cell viability despite IPoC. The protective effect of IPoC was lost in GST-inhibited groups for all MAPKs and GSK-3β. GST activity is required for the survival of cultured cardiomyocytes under stress conditions. GST inhibition was associated with differential activation of MAP and the protein kinases regulating these pathways in the process of ischaemic postconditioning. PMID:23888930

The etiology of Tourette syndrome (TS) is multifactorial. TS vulnerability may be associated with genetic and environmental factors. From the genetic point of view, TS is heterogeneous. Previous studies showed that some single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene can affect cellular proliferation and apoptotic activity and TS is a neurodevelopmental disorder. We guessed that there was a relationship between TS and genetic variants of the GSTP1 gene. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that GSTP1 SNPs were associated with TS. We performed a case–control study. One hundred twenty-one TS children and 105 normal children were included in the study. Polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the GSTP1 gene polymorphism at position rs6591256 (A/G, promoter polymorphism) in TS patients and normal children. The polymorphism at position rs6591256 in the GSTP1 gene revealed significant differences in the allele (p=0.0135) and genotype (p=0.0159) distributions between the TS patients and the control group. The A allele was present at a higher frequency than the G allele in the TS patients compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR]=1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–3.21). The AA genotype was associated with susceptibility to TS with an OR of 2.38 for the AA versus AG genotype (95% CI: 1.29–4.41). These findings suggest that variants in the GSTP1 gene may play a role in susceptibility to TS. PMID:24205873

Dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables (Brassica spp.) has been inversely related to colorectal cancer risk, and this has been attributed to their high content of glucosinolate degradation products such as isothiocyanates (ITCs). These compounds act as anticarcinogens by inducing phase II conjugating enzymes, in particular glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs). These enzymes also metabolize ITCs, such that the protective effect of cruciferous vegetables may predicate on GST genotype. The Singapore Chinese Health Study is a prospective investigation among 63 257 middle-aged men and women, who were enrolled between April 1993 and December 1998. In this nested case-control analysis, we compared 213 incident cases of colorectal cancer with 1194 controls. Information on dietary ITC intake from cruciferous vegetables, collected at recruitment via a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, was combined with GSTM1, T1 and P1 genotype from peripheral blood lymphocytes or buccal mucosa. When categorized into high (greater than median) and low (less than/equal to median) intake, dietary ITC was slightly lower in cases than controls but the difference was not significant [odds ratio (OR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-1.12]. There were no overall associations between GSTM1, T1 or P1 genotypes and colorectal cancer risk. However, among individuals with both GSTM1 and T1 null genotypes, we observed a 57% reduction in risk among high versus low consumers of ITC (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.96), in particular for colon cancer (OR 0.31, 0.12-0.84). Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that ITCs from cruciferous vegetables modify risk of colorectal cancer in individuals with low GST activity. Further, this gene-diet interaction may be important in studies evaluating the effect of risk-enhancing compounds in the colorectum. PMID:12507929

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Putative colorectal procarcinogens in tobacco smoke include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines that are known substrates of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs). This study examined the influence of functional GST gene polymorphisms on the smoking-colorectal cancer association in a population known to be minimally exposed to dietary sources of these procarcinogens. Incident cases of colorectal cancer (n = 480) and matched controls (n = 1167) were selected from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population-based prospective cohort of 63 257 men and women who have been followed since 1993. We determined the deletion polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and the functional polymorphism at codon 105 of GSTP1 for each subject. A three level composite GST index was used to examine if GST profile affected a smoker's risk of developing colorectal cancer. While there was no statistically significant association between cigarette smoking and colorectal cancer risk among subjects absent of any at-risk GST genotypes, smokers possessing two to three at-risk GST genotypes exhibited a statistically significant increased risk of colorectal cancer compared with non-smokers (P = 0.0002). In this latter stratum, heavy smokers exhibited a >5-fold increased risk relative to never-smokers (odds ratio, 5.43; 95% confidence interval, 2.22-13.23). Subjects with one at-risk GST genotype displayed a statistically significant but weaker association with smoking. These findings suggest that GST gene polymorphisms influence interindividual susceptibility to smoking-associated colorectal cancer. Our data indicate an important role for GST enzymes in the detoxification of colorectal carcinogens in tobacco smoke. PMID:21803734

Chinese populations consume a diet relatively high in isothiocyanates (ITCs), a derivative of cruciferous vegetables known to have cancer-protective effects. This class of compounds is metabolized by the glutathioneS-transferase family of enzymes, which are also involved in the detoxification of tobacco-related carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and alkyl halides. We evaluated the association between dietary isothiocyanate intake, GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms, and lung cancer risk in 420 Chinese women: 233 histologically confirmed lung cancer patients and 187 hospital controls. Among these, 58.8% of cases and 90.3% of controls were lifetime nonsmokers. An allele-specific PCR method was used to detect the presence or absence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in DNA isolated from peripheral blood. Higher weekly intake of ITCs (above the control median value of 53.0 micromol) reduced the risk of lung cancer to a greater extent in smokers [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.10-0.98] than nonsmokers (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.45-1.11). The inverse association was stronger among subjects with homozygous deletion of GSTM1 and/or GSTT1. Among nonsmokers with GSTM1-null genotype, higher intake of ITCs significantly reduced the risk of lung cancer (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30-0.95), an effect not seen among those with detectable GSTM1 (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.50-2.29). Our results, in a Chinese female population, are consistent with the hypothesis that ITC is inversely related to the risk of lung cancer, and we show that among nonsmokers this effect may be primarily confined to GST-null individuals. Conjugation and elimination of ITCs is enhanced in GST-non-null relative to -null individuals, such that the GST metabolic genotype modifies the protective effect of ITCs on lung cancer development. PMID:11588132

Enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism are involved in the activation and detoxification of carcinogens and can play a pivotal role in the susceptibility of individuals toward chemically induced cancer. Differences in such susceptibility are often related to genetically predetermined enzyme polymorphisms but may also be caused by enzyme induction or inhibition through environmental factors or in the frame of chemopreventive intervention. In this context, coffee consumption, as an important lifestyle factor, has been under thorough investigation. Whereas the data on a potential procarcinogenic effect in some organs remained inconclusive, epidemiology has clearly revealed coffee drinkers to be at a lower risk of developing cancers of the colon and the liver and possibly of several other organs. The underlying mechanisms of such chemoprotection, modifications of xenobiotic metabolism in particular, were further investigated in rodent and in vitro models, as a result of which several individual chemoprotectants out of the >1000 constituents of coffee were identified as well as some strongly metabolized individual carcinogens against which they specifically protected. This chapter discusses the chemoprotective effects of several coffee components and whole coffee in association with modifications of the usually protective glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the more ambivalent N-acetyltransferase (NAT). A key role is played by kahweol and cafestol (K/C), two diterpenic constituents of the unfiltered beverage that were found to reduce mutagenesis/tumorigenesis by strongly metabolized compounds, such as 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, and aflatoxin B(1), and to cause various modifications of xenobiotic metabolism that were overwhelmingly beneficial, including induction of GST and inhibition of NAT. Other coffee components such as polyphenols and K/C-free coffee are also capable of increasing GST and partially of inhibiting NAT

Biochemical responses in bivalve mollusks are commonly employed in environmental studies as biomarkers of aquatic contamination. The present study evaluated the possible influence of salinity (35, 25, 15 and 9ppt) in the biomarker responses of Crassostrea gigas oysters exposed to diesel at different nominal concentrations (0.01, 0.1 and 1mL.L(-1)) using a semi-static exposure system. Salinity alone did not resulted in major changes in the gill's catalase activity (CAT), glutathioneS-transferase activity (GST) and lipid peroxidation levels (measured as malondialdehyde, MDA), but influenced diesel related responses. At 25ppt salinity, but not at the other salinity levels, oysters exposed to diesel showed a strikingly positive concentration-dependent GST response. At 25ppt and 1mL.L(-1) diesel, the GST activity in the gills remained elevated, even after one week of depuration in clean water. The increased MDA levels in the oysters exposed to diesel comparing to control groups at 9, 15 and 35ppt salinities suggest the occurrence of lipid peroxidation in those salinities, but not at 25ppt salinity. The MDA quickly returned to basal levels after 24h of depuration. CAT activity was unaltered by the treatments employed. High toxicity for 1mL.L(-1) diesel was observed only at 35ppt salinity, but not in the other salinities. Results from this study strongly suggest that salinity influences the diesel related biomarker responses and toxicity in C. gigas, and that some of those responses remain altered even after depuration. PMID:21349572

Highlights: {yields} Nuclear translocation of GST{pi} is abrogated by the deletion of the last 16 amino acid residues in the carboxy-terminal region, indicating that residues 195-208 of GST{pi} are required for nuclear translocation. {yields} The lack of a contiguous stretch of positively charged amino acid residues within the carboxy-terminal region of GST{pi}, suggests that the nuclear translocation of GST{pi} is mediated by a non-classical nuclear localization signal. {yields} An in vitro transport assay shows that the nuclear translocation of GST{pi} is dependent on cytosolic factors and ATP. -- Abstract: GlutathioneS-transferase {pi} (GST{pi}), a member of the GST family of multifunctional enzymes, is highly expressed in human placenta and involved in the protection of cellular components against electrophilic compounds or oxidative stress. We have recently found that GST{pi} is expressed in the cytoplasm, mitochondria, and nucleus in some cancer cells, and that the nuclear expression of GST{pi} appears to correlate with resistance to anti-cancer drugs. Although the mitochondrial targeting signal of GST{pi} was previously identified in the amino-terminal region, the mechanism of nuclear translocation remains completely unknown. In this study, we find that the region of GST{pi}195-208 is critical for nuclear translocation, which is mediated by a novel and non-classical nuclear localization signal. In addition, using an in vitro transport assay, we demonstrate that the nuclear translocation of GST{pi} depends on the cytosolic extract and ATP. Although further experiments are needed to understand in depth the precise mechanism of nuclear translocation of GST{pi}, our results may help to establish more efficient anti-cancer therapy, especially with respect to resistance to anti-cancer drugs.

The effects of microsomal enzyme inducers on glutathioneS-transferase (GST) isoenzymes were studied in livers of rats and hamsters using three hypolipidemic drugs of the peroxisome proliferator type and the two model substances phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC). The effects were investigated by immunoblot analysis of the various GST subunits using polyclonal antibodies directed to rat subunits 1-4. In untreated animals the subunit composition was different, with hamsters having a much higher content of class mu isoenzymes. Administration of all three hypolipidemic drugs reduced the protein concentration of both alpha and mu class GSTs in rats but reduced only class mu subunits in hamsters. This reduction was in good agreement with the decreased activity observed with the broad-spectrum substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) in both species. As expected, PB and MC increased GST activity together with the concentration of subunits 1 and 3 in rats. In hamsters, PB significantly increased subunit 1 and slightly reduced subunits 3 and 4, although this decrease was not significant. Total GST, measured with CDNB, was reduced by 17%. In contrast, MC slightly decreased subunit 1 and markedly raised subunits 3 and 4, resulting in a net increase in total GST activity. All drugs increased relative liver weight, microsomal protein concentration and total P450 in both species; in contrast, total cytosolic proteins were raised by all drugs in rats but not in hamsters, except for MC. The results obtained in these two species show that GST activity is not always increased by microsomal enzyme inducers. The response may depend in part on isoenzyme profile, and varies with the subunit considered. PMID:8053925

Drug induced allergies are believed to be induced by conjugates consisting of biological macromolecules and active metabolites. The present study investigated whether guinea pig glutathioneS-transferase (gpGST), a protein that binds with sulfanilamide (SA) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), could be detected in the liver cytosol fraction of guinea pigs that intraperitoneally received SA or SMX, and whether gpGST is a carrier protein. We synthesized three nitroso compounds, i.e., 4-nitroso-sulfanilamide (SA-NO), 4-nitrososulfamethoxazole (SMX-NO) and fluorescent-labeled nitroso compound (DNSBA-NO), and examined binding quantities of nitroso compounds to gpGST purified from untreated female guinea pigs. Furthermore, the concentrations of IgG in serum antibody for nitroso compounds were estimated using ELISA. When guinea pigs were sensitized using the three nitroso compounds, the dose dependent skin reactions were confirmed with each compound. In addition, sensitized guinea pigs using each nitroso compound showed positive skin reactions at an elicitation test performed using gpGST alone. The results confirmed synthesis of antibody against gpGST due to hapten sensitization. Therefore, when a nitroso compound binds with gpGST in the body of guinea pigs, nitroso-gpGST acts as a neoantigen, which induces synthesis of autoantibody. Thus, gpGST appears to be one of the carrier proteins that induce sulfa drug-induced allergies. Immunization of guinea pigs with active metabolite of drugs may give information for predicting the occurrence of delayed type hypersensitivity in human. PMID:22342371

Hypericin is a photosensitizer compound used in the photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is an alternative cancer treatment strategy whose function is dependent on the photosensitizers accumulating selectively in tumor cells and following visible or infra-red light induced activation lead to the apoptosis/necrosis of the tumor cells via the formation of reactive oxygen species. Thus, the cellular redox balance is essential for the efficacy of PDT. Among the protective enzyme systems glutathioneS-transferases (GST, E.C.2.5.1.18) function in detoxification, protection against oxidative stress and intracellular transport of molecules. It is known that isoenzymes of GST and especially GST-pi is increased in cancer cells and it plays very important functions in the development of resistance to anticancer drugs. Since photosensitizers are used intravenously, it is important to elucidate the effects of photosensitizers on the erythrocyte enzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of hypericin on human erythrocyte GST-pi (heGST-pi). Purification yield of 71% and purification fold of 2550 were achieved by using conventional chromatographic methods. The specific activity of the enzyme is found as 51 U/mg protein. Hypericin inhibited heGST-pi in a dose dependent manner and inhibition was biphasic. Noncompetitive type of inhibition was observed with both substrates, GSH and CDNB. The inhibitory constant (K i ) values obtained from Lineweaver-Burk, Dixon, secondary plots; slope and y-intercept versus 1/S (substrate) and from non-linear regression analysis were in good correlation: K i (GSH) was calculated as 0.19 ± 0.01 μM and K i (CDNB) as 0.26 ± 0.03 μM. PMID:26614503

Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) superfamily consists of multiple members involved in xenobiotic metabolism. Expressional pattern of the GST isoforms in adult fish has been used as a biomarker of exposure to environmental chemicals. However, GST transcriptional responses vary across organs, thus requiring a cross-tissue examination of multiple mRNAs for GST profiling in an animal after chemical exposure. Zebrafish embryos express all GST isoforms as adult fish and could therefore represent an alternative model for identification of biomarkers of exposure. To evaluate such a possibility, we studied a set of cytosolic and microsomal GST isoform-specific expression profiles in the zebrafish embryos after exposure to atrazine, a widely used herbicide. Expression of the GST isoforms was compared with that of CYP genes involved in the phase I of xenobiotic metabolism and antioxidant enzyme (AOE) genes. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we showed dynamic changes in the expressional pattern of twenty GST isoforms, cyp1a, cyp3a65, ahr2, and four AOEs in early development of zebrafish. Acute (48 and 72 h) exposure of 24 h-old embryos to atrazine, from environmentally relevant (0.005 mg/L) to high (40 mg/L) concentrations, caused a variety of transient, albeit minor changes (<2.5-fold) in the GST isoforms, ahr2 and AOE genes response. However, expression of cyp1a and cyp3a65 mRNA was markedly and consistently induced by high doses of atrazine (5 and 40 mg/L). In summary, an analysis of the response of multiple systems in the zebrafish embryos provided a comprehensive understanding of atrazine toxicity and its potential impact on biological processes. PMID:25158112

7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) destroys ovarian follicles at all developmental stages. This study investigated a role for the glutathioneS-transferase (Gst) isoforms alpha (a), mu (m) and pi (p) and the transcription factors, Ahr and Nrf2, during DMBA-induced ovotoxicity, and their regulation by phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling. Negative regulation of JNK by GSTP during DMBA exposure was also studied. Post-natal day (PND) 4 Fischer 344 rat ovaries were exposed to vehicle control (1% DMSO) ± DMBA (1 μM) or vehicle control (1% DMSO) ± LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor; 20 μM) for 1, 2, 4, or 6 days. Total RNA or protein was isolated, followed by RT-PCR or Western blotting to determine mRNA or protein level, respectively. Immunoprecipitation using an anti-GSTP antibody was performed to determine interaction between GSTP and JNK, followed by Western blotting to determine JNK and p-c-Jun protein level. DMBA had no impact on Gsta, Gstm or Nrf2 mRNA level, but increased Gstp mRNA and protein after 2 days. Ahr mRNA and protein increased after 2 and 4 days of DMBA exposure, respectively and DMBA increased NRF2 protein level after 4 days. JNK bound to GSTP was increased during DMBA exposure, with a concomitant decrease in unbound JNK and p-c-Jun. Ahr and Gstp mRNA were decreased (2 days) and increased (4 days) by PI3K inhibition, while Gstm mRNA increased (P < 0.05) after both time points, and there was no effect on Nrf2 mRNA. PI3K inhibition increased AHR, NRF2 and GSTP protein level. These findings support involvement of ovarian GSTP during DMBA exposure, and indicate a regulatory role for the PI3K signaling pathway on ovarian xenobiotic metabolism gene expression. PMID:22406437

GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) enzymes detoxify therapeutic drugs and reactive oxidants, so GST polymorphisms may influence survival after diagnosis of cancer. We evaluated survival according to GST polymorphisms in a population-based series of lung cancer patients. The study subjects (n = 274) were men diagnosed with lung cancer from 1993 through 1996 who participated in a case control study and provided a blood sample for genotyping. The presence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were assayed by multiplex PCR. Genotype at the GSTP1 Ile(105)Val substitution was determined by PCR and oligonucleotide ligation assay. The study subjects were followed for vital status through 2000, and overall survival was evaluated in Kaplan-Meier survival functions and Cox proportional hazards models. Subjects with the GSTM1 null genotype had shorter survival; the proportion of GSTM1 null subjects surviving at 5 years was 0.20 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14-0.27], compared with 0.29 (95% CI 0.22-0.37) for GSTM1 present subjects. The relative risk of death associated with GSTM1 null genotype, adjusted for stage at diagnosis and histology, was 1.36, 95% CI 1.04-1.80. There was no association between GSTT1 or GSTP1 genotype and survival in the overall study population, nor in a subgroup of patients treated with chemotherapy (n = 130). For GSTM1, our results are consistent with a previous study, which also observed that the GSTM1-null genotype, which confers susceptibility to lung cancer, was associated with shorter survival. Future studies of lung cancer survival should take into account GSTM1 genotype as well as investigate underlying mechanisms. PMID:12814998

Ethanol, a human toxicant and a solvent in pharmacological research, is known to interfere with biotransformation of xenobiotics. We compared the in vivo and in vitro long-term effects of ethanol exposure on the expression of glutathioneS-transferases (GST, EC 2. 5.1.18) in rat liver. Long-term in vivo ethanol treatment to achieve blood ethanol levels ranging between 10-50 mM was by liquid diet feeding. For in vitro experiments, rat hepatocytes co-cultured with rat liver epithelial cells were exposed to 17 and 68 mM ethanol for up to 10 days. Two weeks of liquid diet ethanol treatment increased total GST activity. Both Mu and Alpha classes and in particular the A1 and A2 subunits and the amount of their corresponding mRNAs were increased. Total GST activity was also increased in co-cultures after exposure to 68 mM ethanol for 10 days. However, the Mu class subunits M1 and M2 and the corresponding mRNAs were increased, rather than the Alpha class subunits. Thus, long-term exposure to ethanol induces hepatic GST both in vivo and in vitro, but different isoenzymes are affected. Consequently, extrapolation of in vitro data on GST expression and regulation to the in vivo situation must be judicious. During xenobiotic metabolism in cell culture, a shift in relative expression and induction of different GST forms may occur, resulting in either an under- or overestimation of effects. PMID:11020451

The etiology of Tourette syndrome (TS) is multifactorial. TS vulnerability may be associated with genetic and environmental factors. From the genetic point of view, TS is heterogeneous. Previous studies showed that some single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene can affect cellular proliferation and apoptotic activity and TS is a neurodevelopmental disorder. We guessed that there was a relationship between TS and genetic variants of the GSTP1 gene. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that GSTP1 SNPs were associated with TS. We performed a case-control study. One hundred twenty-one TS children and 105 normal children were included in the study. Polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the GSTP1 gene polymorphism at position rs6591256 (A/G, promoter polymorphism) in TS patients and normal children. The polymorphism at position rs6591256 in the GSTP1 gene revealed significant differences in the allele (p=0.0135) and genotype (p=0.0159) distributions between the TS patients and the control group. The A allele was present at a higher frequency than the G allele in the TS patients compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR]=1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-3.21). The AA genotype was associated with susceptibility to TS with an OR of 2.38 for the AA versus AG genotype (95% CI: 1.29-4.41). These findings suggest that variants in the GSTP1 gene may play a role in susceptibility to TS. PMID:24205873

TA-3037A, a new inhibitor of glutathioneS-transferase was discovered in the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. TA-3037. It was purified by chromatography followed by solvent extraction and then isolated as yellow needles. TA-3037A has the molecular formula of C16H11NO4. It was competitive with the substrate, and the inhibition constant (Ki) was 4.9 microM. PMID:1517156

Background Insecticide-based methods represent the most effective means of blocking the transmission of vector borne diseases. However, insecticide resistance poses a serious threat and there is a need for tools, such as diagnostic tests for resistance detection, that will improve the sustainability of control interventions. The development of such tools for metabolism-based resistance in mosquito vectors lags behind those for target site resistance mutations. Methodology/Principal Findings We have developed and validated a simple colorimetric assay for the detection of Epsilon class Glutathione transferases (GST)-based DDT resistance in mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti, the major vector of dengue and yellow fever worldwide. The colorimetric assay is based on the specific alkyl transferase activity of Epsilon GSTs for the haloalkene substrate iodoethane, which produces a dark blue colour highly correlated with AaGSTE2-2-overexpression in individual mosquitoes. The colour can be measured visually and spectrophotometrically. Conclusions/Significance The novel assay is substantially more sensitive compared to the gold standard CDNB assay and allows the discrimination of moderate resistance phenotypes. We anticipate that it will have direct application in routine vector monitoring as a resistance indicator and possibly an important impact on disease vector control. PMID:20824165

The effects of glutathione (GSH) and the combination of GSH and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) on aflatoxin B/sub 1/ (AFB/sub 1/) mutagenesis in the Salmonella mutagenicity assay using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 were tested. Ten concentrations of AFB/sub 1/ (0-1.0 ..mu..g/plate) were added to a liver microsomal homogenate (S9 mix) or to S9 mix containing GSH or S9 mix containing the combination of GSH + GST. One third of the samples were plated directly. Two-thirds were incubated for 30 min at 37/sup 0/C prior to plating, and of those, half included bacteria. The results show that the addition of GSH and GSH + GST affected AFB/sub 1/ mutagenesis by forming the AFB/sub 1/-GSH conjugate and decreasing the availability of AFB/sub 1/-8,9-epoxide. The effect of GST on GSH activity varied with the strain because of the different amounts of S9 mix used. The formation of the AFB/sub 1/-GSH conjugate was verified by using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for quantitation of AFB/sub 1/ and detection of AFB/sub 1/-GSH.

Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a transcription factor family critical in the activation of pro- inflammatory responses. The NF-κB pathway is regulated by oxidant-induced post-translational modifications. Protein S-glutathionylation, or the conjugation of the antioxidant molecule, glutathione to reactive cysteines inhibits the activity of inhibitory kappa B kinase beta (IKKβ), among other NF-κB proteins. GlutathioneS-transferase Pi (GSTP) is an enzyme that has been shown to catalyze protein S-glutathionylation (PSSG) under conditions of oxidative stress. The objective of the present study was to determine whether GSTP regulates NF-κB signaling, S-glutathionylation of IKK, and subsequent pro-inflammatory signaling. We demonstrated that, in unstimulated cells, GSTP associated with the inhibitor of NF-κB, IκBα. However, exposure to LPS resulted in a rapid loss of association between IκBα and GSTP, and instead led to a protracted association between IKKβ and GSTP. LPS exposure also led to increases in the S-glutathionylation of IKKβ. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of GSTP decreased IKKβ-SSG, and enhanced NF-κB nuclear translocation, transcriptional activity, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TLK117, an isotype-selective inhibitor of GSTP, also enhanced LPS-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, suggesting that the catalytic activity of GSTP is important in repressing NF-κB activation. Expression of both wild-type and catalytically-inactive Y7F mutant GSTP significantly attenuated LPS- or IKKβ-induced production of GM-CSF. These studies indicate a complex role for GSTP in modulating NF-κB, which may involve S-glutathionylation of IKK proteins, and interaction with NF-κB family members. Our findings suggest that targeting GSTP is a potential avenue for regulating the activity of this prominent pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory transcription factor. PMID:27058114

Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a transcription factor family critical in the activation of pro- inflammatory responses. The NF-κB pathway is regulated by oxidant-induced post-translational modifications. Protein S-glutathionylation, or the conjugation of the antioxidant molecule, glutathione to reactive cysteines inhibits the activity of inhibitory kappa B kinase beta (IKKβ), among other NF-κB proteins. GlutathioneS-transferase Pi (GSTP) is an enzyme that has been shown to catalyze protein S-glutathionylation (PSSG) under conditions of oxidative stress. The objective of the present study was to determine whether GSTP regulates NF-κB signaling, S-glutathionylation of IKK, and subsequent pro-inflammatory signaling. We demonstrated that, in unstimulated cells, GSTP associated with the inhibitor of NF-κB, IκBα. However, exposure to LPS resulted in a rapid loss of association between IκBα and GSTP, and instead led to a protracted association between IKKβ and GSTP. LPS exposure also led to increases in the S-glutathionylation of IKKβ. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of GSTP decreased IKKβ-SSG, and enhanced NF-κB nuclear translocation, transcriptional activity, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TLK117, an isotype-selective inhibitor of GSTP, also enhanced LPS-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, suggesting that the catalytic activity of GSTP is important in repressing NF-κB activation. Expression of both wild-type and catalytically-inactive Y7F mutant GSTP significantly attenuated LPS- or IKKβ-induced production of GM-CSF. These studies indicate a complex role for GSTP in modulating NF-κB, which may involve S-glutathionylation of IKK proteins, and interaction with NF-κB family members. Our findings suggest that targeting GSTP is a potential avenue for regulating the activity of this prominent pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory transcription factor. PMID:27058114

Over the last decades, the presence of methylmercury (MeHg) in the Amazon region of Brazil and its adverse human health effects have given rise to much concern. The biotransformation of MeHg occurs mainly through glutathione (GSH) in the bile mediated by conjugation with glutathioneS-transferases (GST). Epidemiological evidence has shown that genetic polymorphisms may affect the metabolism of MeHg. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between GST polymorphisms, GSH, and Hg levels in blood (B-Hg) and in hair (H-Hg) of an Amazon population chronically exposed to the metal through fish consumption. Blood and hair samples were collected from 144 volunteers (71 men, 73 women). B-Hg and H-Hg levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and GSH levels were evaluated by a spectrophotometric method. GSTM1 and T1 genotyping evaluation were carried out by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mean levels of B-Hg and H-Hg were 37.7 ± 24.5 μg/L and 10.4 ± 7.4 μg/g, respectively; GSH concentrations ranged from 0.52 to 2.89 μM/ml of total blood. Distributions for GSTM1/T1, GSTM1/GSTT1*0, GSTM1*0/T1, and GSTM1*0/GSTT1*0 genotypes were 35.4, 22.2, 25.0, and 17.4%, respectively. GSTT1 genotype carriers presented lower levels of B-Hg and H-Hg when compared to other genotypes carriers. In addition, GSTM1*0/GSTT1*0 individuals presented higher Hg levels in blood and hair than subjects presenting any other genotypes. There appeared to be no evidence of an effect of polymorphisms on GSH levels. Therefore, our data suggest that GST polymorphisms may be associated with MeHg detoxification. PMID:22852846

A 25 kDa subunit of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) from sheep liver microsomes (microsomal GSTA1-1) with a significant selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity has been isolated and characterized. Several analytical criteria, including EDTA stripping, protease protection assay and extraction with alkaline Na(2)CO(3), indicate that the microsomal GSTA1-1 is associated with the inner microsomal membrane. The specific cDNA nucleotide sequence reveals that the enzyme is made up of 222 amino acid residues and shares approx. 73-83% sequence similarity to Alpha-class GSTs from different species. The molecular mass, as determined by electrospray mass ionization, is 25611.3 Da. The enzyme is distinct from the previously reported rat liver microsomal GST in both amino acid sequence and catalytic properties [Morgenstern, Guthenberg and DePierre (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 128, 243-248]. The microsomal GSTA1-1 differs from the sheep liver cytosolic GSTs, reported previously from this laboratory, in its substrate specificity profile and molecular mass [Reddy, Burgess, Gong, Massaro and Tu (1983) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 224, 87-101]. In addition to catalysing the conjugation of 4-hydroxynonenal with GSH, the enzyme also exhibits significant glutathione peroxidase activity towards physiologically relevant fatty acid hydroperoxides, such as linoleic and arachidonic acid hydroperoxides, as well as phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide, but not with H(2)O(2). Thus the microsomal GSTA1-1 isoenzyme might have an important role in the protection of biological membranes against oxidative damage. PMID:11716762

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an enigmatic disorder with a suggested autoimmune basis. A variety of autoantigens have been suggested but no specific or highly directed epitope has been identified. To address this issue, we constructed a cDNA library from normal human choledochus and screened expressing clones with serum from a patient with PSC and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Based on this screening, glutathioneS-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) was identified as a potential autoantigenic target. To study the specificity of GSTT1, we determined immunoreactivity using a panel of 58 patients with PSC, with and without IBD, 57 patients with IBD, 31 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 30 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), 20 patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, 22 patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I, 10 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 20 patients with Sjögren's syndrome, 12 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis, 28 patients with Addison's disease, 27 patients with Grave's disease, 17 with myasthenia gravis, and 118 healthy controls. Reactivity against GSTT1 was found with PSC and IBD as well as some patients with other autoimmune pathology, indicating that this population of antibodies is neither specific nor a sensitive serologic marker for PSC, but the frequency was clearly higher in autoimmune patients than controls. GSTT1-antibodies have been described in persons with GSTT1-null genotype and are suggested to develop as an alloimmune response to blood transfusions from GSTT1-positive donors or pregnancies with GSTT1-positive children. Therefore, two IBD patients with and 15 PSC patients without GSTT1-antibodies were genotyped for GSTT1 to investigate if the presence of GSTT1-antibodies was associated with the GSTT1-null genotype and possibly caused by an alloimmune response. Both IBD patients and three of the PSC patients were of the GSTT1-null genotype. We note that the frequency of GSTT1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in humans. However, mice, a major animal model for the study of AFB1 carcinogenesis, are resistant, due to high constitutive expression, in the mouse liver, of glutathioneS-transferase A3 subunit (mGSTA3) that is lacking in humans. Our objective was to establish that a mouse model for AFB1 toxicity could be used to study mechanisms of toxicity that are relevant for human disease, i.e., an mGSTA3 knockout (KO) mouse that responds to toxicants such as AFB1 in a manner similar to humans. Exons 3-6 of the mGSTA3 were replaced with a neomycin cassette by homologous recombination. Southern blotting, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and measurement of AFB1-N{sup 7}-DNA adduct formation were used to evaluate the mGSTA3 KO mice. The KO mice have deletion of exons 3-6 of the mGSTA3 gene, as expected, as well as a lack of mGSTA3 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Three hours after injection of 5 mg/kg AFB1, mGSTA3 KO mice have more than 100-fold more AFB1-N{sup 7}-DNA adducts in their livers than do similarly treated wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, the mGSTA3 KO mice die of massive hepatic necrosis, at AFB1 doses that have minimal toxic effects in WT mice. We conclude that mGSTA3 KO mice are sensitive to the acute cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of AFB1, confirming the crucial role of GSTA3 subunit in protection of normal mice against AFB1 toxicity. We propose the mGSTA3 KO mouse as a useful model with which to study the interplay of risk factors leading to HCC development in humans, as well as for testing of additional possible functions of mGSTA3.

A number of freshwater lakes and reclaimed agricultural sites in Central Florida have been the receiving waters for agrochemical and municipal runoff. One of these sites, Lake Apopka, is also a eutrophic system that has been the focus of several case studies reporting altered reproductive activity linked to bioaccumulation of persistent organochlorine chemicals in aquatic species. The present study was initiated to determine if brown bullheads (Ameriurus nebulosus) from the north marsh of Lake Apopka (Lake Apopka Marsh) exhibit an altered capacity to detoxify environmental chemicals through hepatic glutathioneS-transferase (GST)-mediated conjugation as compared with bullheads from a nearby reference site (Lake Woodruff). We also compared plasma sex hormone concentrations (testosterone, 17-?? estradiol, and 11 keto-testosterone) in bullheads from the two sites. Female bullheads from Lake Apopka had 40% lower initial rate GST conjugative activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 50% lower activity towards p-nitrobutyl chloride (NBC), 33% lower activity toward ethacrynic acid (ECA), and 43% lower activity toward ??5-androstene-3,17-dione (??5-ADI), as compared with female bullheads from Lake Woodruff. Enzyme kinetic analyses demonstrated that female bullheads from Lake Apopka had lower GST-catalyzed CDNB clearance than did female Lake Woodruff bullheads. Western blotting studies of bullhead liver cytosolic proteins demonstrated that the reduced GST catalytic activities in female Lake Apopka bullheads were accompanied by lower expression of hepatic GST protein. No site differences were observed with respect to GST activities or GST protein expression in male bullheads. Female Lake Apopka bullheads also had elevated concentrations of plasma androgens (testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone) as compared with females from Lake Woodruff. In contrast, male Lake Apopka bullheads had elevated levels of plasma estrogen but similar levels of androgens as compared with

The glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are a multifunctional family of phase II enzymes that detoxify a variety of environmental chemicals, reactive intermediates, and secondary products of oxidative damage. GST mRNA expression and catalytic activity have been used as biomarkers of exposure to environmental chemicals. However, factors such as species differences in induction, partial analyses of multiple GST isoforms, and lack of understanding of fish GST gene regulation, have confounded the use of GST as markers of pollutant exposure. In the present study, we examined the effect of exposure to cadmium (Cd), a prototypical environmental contaminant and inducer of mammalian GST, on GST mRNA expression in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) liver, gill, and olfactory tissues. GST expression data were compared to those for metallothionein (MT), a prototypical biomarker of metal exposure. Data mining of genomic databases led to the development of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays for salmon GST isoforms encompassing 9 subfamilies, including alpha, mu, pi, theta, omega, kappa, rho, zeta and microsomal GST. In vivo acute (8-48 hr) exposures to low (3.7 ppb) and high (347 ppb) levels of Cd relevant to environmental scenarios elicited a variety of transient, albeit minor changes (<2.5-fold) in tissue GST profiles, including some reductions in GST mRNA expression. In general, olfactory GSTs were the earliest to respond to cadmium, whereas, more pronounced effects in olfactory and gill GST expression were observed at 48 hr relative to earlier time points. Although evaluation of GSTs reflected a cadmium-associated oxidative stress response, there was no clear GST isoform in any tissue that could serve as a reliable biomarker of acute cadmium exposure. By contrast, metallothionein (MT) mRNA was consistently and markedly induced in all three tissues by cadmium, and among the tissues examined, olfactory MT was the most sensitive marker of cadmium exposures. In summary, coho

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) destroys ovarian follicles at all developmental stages. This study investigated a role for the glutathioneS-transferase (Gst) isoforms alpha (a), mu (m) and pi (p) and the transcription factors, Ahr and Nrf2, during DMBA-induced ovotoxicity, and their regulation by phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling. Negative regulation of JNK by GSTP during DMBA exposure was also studied. Post-natal day (PND) 4 Fischer 344 rat ovaries were exposed to vehicle control (1% DMSO) ± DMBA (1 μM) or vehicle control (1% DMSO) ± LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor; 20 μM) for 1, 2, 4, or 6 days. Total RNA or protein was isolated, followed by RT-PCR or Western blotting to determine mRNA or protein level, respectively. Immunoprecipitation using an anti-GSTP antibody was performed to determine interaction between GSTP and JNK, followed by Western blotting to determine JNK and p-c-Jun protein level. DMBA had no impact on Gsta, Gstm or Nrf2 mRNA level, but increased Gstp mRNA and protein after 2 days. Ahr mRNA and protein increased after 2 and 4 days of DMBA exposure, respectively and DMBA increased NRF2 protein level after 4 days. JNK bound to GSTP was increased during DMBA exposure, with a concomitant decrease in unbound JNK and p-c-Jun. Ahr and Gstp mRNA were decreased (2 days) and increased (4 days) by PI3K inhibition, while Gstm mRNA increased (P < 0.05) after both time points, and there was no effect on Nrf2 mRNA. PI3K inhibition increased AHR, NRF2 and GSTP protein level. These findings support involvement of ovarian GSTP during DMBA exposure, and indicate a regulatory role for the PI3K signaling pathway on ovarian xenobiotic metabolism gene expression. -- Highlights: ► Ovarian GSTP is activated in response to DMBA exposure. ► AhR and Nrf2 transcription factors are up-regulated by DMBA. ► PI3K signaling regulates Ahr, Nrf2 and Gstp expression. ► GSTP negatively regulates ovarian JNK in response to DMBA exposure.

Background Recently, a protein homologous to glutathione-S-transferases (GST) was detected in prominent amounts in birch pollen by proteomic profiling. As members of the GST family are relevant allergens in mites, cockroach and fungi we investigated the allergenic relevance of GST from birch (bGST). Methodology bGST was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized by mass spectrometry. Sera from 217 birch pollen-allergic patients were tested for IgE-reactivity to bGST by ELISA. The mediator-releasing activity of bGST was analysed with IgE-loaded rat basophil leukaemia cells (RBL) expressing human FcεRI. BALB/c mice were immunized with bGST or Bet v 1. Antibody and T cell responses to either protein were assessed. IgE-cross-reactivity between bGST with GST from house dust mite, Der p 8, was studied with murine and human sera in ELISA. The release kinetics of bGST and Bet v 1 from birch pollen were assessed in water, simulated lung fluid, 0.9% NaCl and PBS. Eluted proteins were quantified by ELISA and analysed by immunoblotting. Principle findings Only 13% of 217 birch pollen-allergic patients showed IgE-reactivity to bGST. In RBL assays bGST induced mediator release. Immunization of mice with bGST induced specific IgE and a Th2-dominated cellular immune response comparably to immunization with Bet v 1. bGST did not cross-react with Der p 8. In contrast to Bet v 1, only low amounts of bGST were released from pollen grains upon incubation in water and the different physiological solutions. Conclusion/Significance Although bGST is abundant in birch pollen, immunogenic in mice and able to induce mediator release from effector cells passively loaded with specific IgE, it is a minor allergen for birch pollen-allergic patients. We refer this discrepancy to its limited release from hydrated pollen. Hence, bGST is an example demonstrating that allergenicity depends mainly on rapid elution from airborne particles. PMID:25275548

GlutathioneS-transferases perform a variety of vital functions, particularly in reducing oxidative damage. Here, we investigated the expression patterns of Apis cerana cerana omega-class glutathioneS-transferase 2 (AccGSTO2) under various stresses and explored its connection with antioxidant defences. We found that AccGSTO2 knockdown by RNA interference triggered increased mortality in Ap. cerana cerana, and immunohistochemistry revealed significantly decreased AccGSTO2 expression, particularly in the midgut and fat body. Further analyses indicated that AccGSTO2 knockdown resulted in decreases in catalase and glutathione reductase activities, ascorbate content and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione, and increases in H2 O2 , malondialdehyde and carbonyl contents. We also analysed the transcripts of other antioxidant genes and found that many genes were down-regulated in the AccGSTO2 knockdown samples, revealing that AccGSTO2 may be indispensable for attaining a normal lifespan by enhancing cellular oxidative resistance. In addition, the roles of cysteine residues in AccGSTO2 were explored using site-directed mutagenesis. Mutants of Cys(28) and Cys(124) significantly affected the enzyme and antioxidant activities of AccGSTO2, which may be attributed to the changes in the spatial structures of mutants as determined by homology modelling. In summary, these observations provide novel insight into the structural and functional characteristics of GSTOs. PMID:27170478

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) constitute an important class of phase II (de)toxifying enzymes, catalysing the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) with electrophilic compounds. In the present study, Km, kcat and kcat/Km values for the rat GST 1-1-, 3-3-, 4-4- and 7-7-catalysed conjugation reactions between GSH and a series of 10 different 2-substituted 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzenes, and the second-order rate constants (ks) of the corresponding base-catalysed reactions, were correlated with nine classical physicochemical parameters (electronic, steric and lipophilic) of the substituents and with 16 computer-calculated molecular parameters of the substrates and of the corresponding Meisenheimer complexes with MeS- as a model nucleophile for GS- (charge distributions and several energy values), giving structure-activity relationships. On the basis of an identical dependence of the base-catalysed as well as the GST 1-1- and GST 7-7-catalysed reactions on electronic parameters (among others, Hammett substituent constant sigma p and charge on p-nitro substituents), and the finding that the corresponding reactions catalysed by GSTs 3-3 and 4-4 depend to a significantly lesser extent on these parameters, it was concluded that the Mu-class GST isoenzymes have a rate-determining transition state in the conjugation reaction between 2-substituted 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzenes and GSH which is different from that of the other two GSTs. Several alternative rate-limiting transition states for GST 3-3 and 4-4 are discussed. Furthermore, based on the obtained structure-activity relationships, it was possible to predict the kcat/Km values of the four GST isoenzymes and the ks of the base-catalysed GSH conjugation of 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene. PMID:8973562

Our earlier studies reported the identification of a rat testicular protein of 24 kDa with significant similarity at the N-terminus with Mu class glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs). Treatment of goat sperm with antisera against this protein identified immunoreactive sites on the spermatozoa and inhibited in vitro fertilization of goat oocytes by the antibody-treated sperm. The above observations indicated the presence of GST-like molecule(s) important for fertility related events on goat spermatozoa. In this study, we report the purification of goat sperm GSTs (GSP1) which were purified by glutathione affinity chromatography and were enzymically active towards 1-chloro-2,4,-dinitrobenzene, a general GST substrate, and ethacrynic acid, a substrate for Pi class GSTs. GSP1 resolved into three major components on reverse-phase HPLC: peaks 1 and 2 with molecular masses of 26.5 kDa and peak 3 with a molecular mass of 25.5 kDa, as determined by SDS/PAGE. Multiple attempts to obtain N-terminal sequences of the first two peaks failed, indicating N-terminal block; however, they reacted to specific anti-Mu-GST antisera on Western blots and ELISA, and not to anti-Pi-GST antisera, which provides evidence for the presence of Mu-GST-reactive sites on peaks 1 and 2. The third component showed 80% N-terminal similarity with human and rat GSTP1-1 over an overlap of 15 amino acids, and reacted to anti-Pi-specific antisera in ELISA. Sperm labelled with antibodies against a 10-mer and an 11-mer peptide, designed from the N-terminal sequences of Mu and Pi class GSTs respectively, showed the presence of both Mu- and Pi-GST on goat sperm surface at distinct cellular domains. Selective inhibition of Pi class GST by the Pi-specific antisera, either at 0 h or at 3 h after initiation of sperm capacitation, leads to a reduction in fertilization rates. In contrast, the inhibition of Mu class GST by specific antisera at 0 h does not inhibit fertilization, although such treatment at 3 h after the

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are an important enzyme family which play a critical role in detoxification system. In our study, GST was purified from muscle tissue of Chalcalburnus tarichii Pallas with 301.5-fold purification and 19.07% recovery by glutathione agarose affinity chromatography. The purity of enzyme was checked by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, showing a two band, because of having heterodimer structure. KM values were 1.59 and 0.53 mM for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and glutathione (GSH), respectively. Vmax values for CDNB and GSH were also determined as 5.58 and 1.88 EU/mL, respectively. In addition, inhibition effects of Ag(+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Fe(3+), Pb(2+), Cr(2+), Co(2+) and Zn(2+) metal ions were investigated on the enzyme activity and IC50, Ki values were calculated for these metal ions. PMID:26018419

The Bronze2 (Bz2) gene in maize (Zea mays) encodes a glutathioneS-transferase that performs the last genetically defined step in anthocyanin biosynthesis--tagging anthocyanin precursors with glutathione, allowing for recognition and entry of anthocyanins into the vacuole. Here we show that Bz2 gene expression is highly induced by heavy metals such as cadmium. Treatment of maize seedlings with cadmium results in a 20-fold increase in Bz2 message accumulation and a 50-fold increase in the presence of the unspliced, intron-containing transcript. The increase in message levels during cadmium stress appears to result, at least in part, from activation of an alternative mRNA start site approximately 200 nucleotides upstream of the normal start site; this site is not used in unstressed or heat-stressed tissues. The effect of cadmium on the RNA splicing of Bz2 seems to be specific: splicing of other intron-containing maize genes, including a maize actin gene under the control of the cadmium-inducible Bz2 promoter, is unaffected by cadmium stress. Conversely, Bz2 intron splicing is not affected by other stress conditions that induce Bz2 gene expression, such as abscisic acid, auxin, or cold stress. Surprisingly, the increase in Bz2 mRNA during cadmium stress does not result in an increase in Bz2 glutathioneS-transferase activity. We propose that an alternative protein may be encoded by Bz2 that has a role during responses to heavy metals. PMID:9008391

Highlights: {yields} Application of site-directed mutagenesis to probe the active site residues of glutathione-dependent maleylpyruvate isomerase. {yields} Two conserved residues, Arg8 and Arg176, in zeta class glutathioneS-transferases are critical for maleylpyruvate orientation and enolization. {yields} Arg109, found exclusively in NagL, participates in k{sub cat} regulation. {yields} The T11A mutant exhibited a significantly decreased K{sub m} value for glutathione with little impact on maleylpyruvate kinetics. {yields} The Thr11 residue appears to have significance in the evolution of glutathioneS-transferase classes. -- Abstract: The maleylpyruvate isomerase NagL from Ralstonia sp. strain U2, which has been structurally characterized previously, catalyzes the isomerization of maleylpyruvate to fumarylpyruvate. It belongs to the class zeta glutathioneS-transferases (GSTZs), part of the cytosolic GST family (cGSTs). In this study, site-directed mutagenesis was conducted to probe the functions of 13 putative active site residues. Steady-state kinetic information for mutants in the reduced glutathione (GSH) binding site, suggested that (a) Gln64 and Asp102 interact directly with the glutamyl moiety of glutathione, (b) Gln49 and Gln64 are involved in a potential electron-sharing network that influences the ionization of the GSH thiol. The information also suggests that (c) His38, Asn108 and Arg109 interact with the GSH glycine moiety, (d) His104 has a role in the ionization of the GSH sulfur and the stabilization of the maleyl terminal carboxyl group in the reaction intermediate and (e) Arg110 influences the electron distribution in the active site and therefore the ionization of the GSH thiolate. Kinetic data for mutants altered in the substrate-binding site imply that (a) Arg8 and Arg176 are critical for maleylpyruvate orientation and enolization, and (b) Arg109 (exclusive to NagL) participates in k{sub cat} regulation. Surprisingly, the T11A mutant had a

Previous studies have demonstrated that short-term treatment with a peroxisome proliferator (PP) decreased the size and number of genotoxic carcinogen-induced hepatic hyperplastic lesions identified by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) or glutathioneS-transferase P1-1 (rGSTP1-1) staining. However, longer-term PP treatment of animals bearing similar hepatic hyperplastic lesions produced an increase in both the size and number of liver tumors. To characterize the hepatic hyperplastic lesions which are inhibited or promoted by PP, a unique double labeling technique was developed to determine the relative rate of cell division (e.g., DNA synthesis) in rGSTP1-1-positive nodules before and after ciprofibrate (Cip) treatment. rGSTP1-1-positive nodules were induced with the Solt-Farber resistance protocol (diethylnitrosamine-2-acetylaminofluorene partial hepatectomy). Eleven weeks after diethylnitrosamine initiation, 3 groups of rats were maintained on a control chow diet or switched to a powdered chow diet containing 0.025% Cip or 0.05% phenobarbital (PB) for the last 8 days of the experiment. A minipump implanted in the abdominal cavity released [methyl-3H]thymidine continuously for 72 h and was then removed prior to CIp or PB treatment. A second minipump was then implanted which released bromodeoxyuridine to the abdominal cavity 5 days after the start of Cip or PB administration and lasted for 72 h until the termination of the experiment. Both the [methyl-3H]thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine labeling indices (LIs) were determined in the same group of cells within individual rGSTP1-1-positive nodules in the right posterior lobes of livers. PB treatment increased both the average number of persistent GGT-positive nodules and the ratio of persistent GGT-positive to rGSTP1-1-positive nodules/cm2. In contrast, Cip treatment greatly decreased the average number and area of persistent GGT-positive nodules, as well as the ratio between persistent GGT-positive and rGSTP1

This study investigated the catalytic activities of hepatic glutathioneS-transferase (GST) isoenzymes isolated from CD-1 mice toward two activated alkenals of toxicological relevance: trans,trans-muconaldehyde (MA), a putative myelotoxic metabolite of benzene, and trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a highly reactive lipid peroxidation product. The activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was also determined. Four isoenzymes with pI values of 9.8, 8.7, 6.4, and 5.7 were each isolated from male and female mice. The isoenzymes with pI values of 8.7 and 6.4 are pi and mu class GSTs, respectively, whereas the pI 9.8 and 5.7 GSTs are both alpha class isoenzymes. CDNB activity was greatest in the pi (pI 8.7) isoenzyme of both sexes. In addition, the CDNB activity of the pi (pI 8.7) isoenzyme from males was markedly greater than the corresponding GST from female mouse liver. In contrast to CDNB, both MA and HNE were better substrates for the acidic alpha (pI 5.7) and mu (pI 6.4) GSTs, whereas minimal activity toward either alkenal was detected in the pi (pI 8.7) and alpha (pI 9.8) isoenzymes. Maximum activity toward MA and HNE was exhibited by the alpha (pI 5.7) isoenzyme of both sexes. The level of HNE activity observed with the alpha (pI 5.7) isoenzyme was five- to sixfold greater than that reported previously for any mouse GST isoenzyme. Moreover, the specific activities of the female alpha (pI 5.7) isoenzyme toward both HNE and MA were markedly greater than those of the corresponding isoenzyme from males. A similar gender-specific difference was noted in the activity of the mu (pI 6.4) isoenzyme toward HNE, but not toward MA. These results show that both MA and HNE are substrates for the alpha (pI 5.7) and mu (pI 6.4) GSTs of murine liver, with maximum activity toward both activated alkenals exhibited by the alpha (pI 5.7) isozyme. In addition, evidence is presented that demonstrates a female-dominant sex difference in the activity of the alpha (pI 5

GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) in the hepatopancreas of crustaceans has been suggested as a biomarker for organic pollution. However, much of crustacean physiology is known to exhibit a cyclic characteristic because of the periodic shedding of the confining exoskeleton. The goal of this study was to determine whether hepatopancreatic GST activity varies during the molting cycle using the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, as the model. Neither the molting cycle nor 20-hydroxyecdysone injection had a significant effect on hepatopancreatic GST activity, suggesting GST activity is not under control of the molting hormone in Uca pugilator. PMID:18587514

Copy number variations (CNVs) represent a large source of genetic variation in humans and have been increasingly studied for disease association. A deletion polymorphism of the gene encoding the cytosolic detoxification enzyme glutathioneS-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) has been extensively studied for cancer susceptibility (919 studies, from HuGE navigator, http://www.hugenavigator.net/). However, clear conclusions have not been reached. Since the GSTT1 gene is located within a genomic region of segmental duplications (SD), there may be a confounding effect from another, yet-uncharacterized CNV at the same locus. Here we describe a previously uncharacterized 38-kilo-base (kb) long deletion polymorphism of GSTT2B located within a 61-kb DNA inverted repeat. GSTT2B is a duplicated copy of GSTT2, the only paralogue of GSTT1 in humans. A newly developed PCR assay revealed that a microhomology-mediated breakpoint appears to be shared among individuals at high frequency. The GSTT2B deletion polymorphism was in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) (D′ = 0.841) with the neighboring GSTT1 deletion polymorphism in the Caucasian population. Alleles harboring a single deletion were significantly overrepresented (p = 2.22×10−16), suggesting a selection against alleles with both deletions. The deletion alleles are almost certainly the derived ones, because the GSTT2B-GSTT2-GSTT1 genes were strictly retained in chimpanzees. Extremely low GSTT2 mRNA expression was associated with the GSTT2B deletion, suggesting an influence of the deletion on the flanking region and loss of GSTT2 function. Genome-wide LD analysis between deletion polymorphisms further points to the uniqueness of two deletions, because strong LD between deletion polymorphisms might be very rare in humans. These results show a complex genomic organization and unexpected biological functions of CNVs within segmental duplications and emphasize the importance of detailed structural characterization for disease

Catalytic properties and cellular effects of the glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-mimetic compound PhSeZnCl or its d,l-lactide polymer microencapsulation form (M-PhSeZnCl) were investigated and compared with the prototypical Se-organic compounds ebselen and diselenide (PhSe)2. PhSeZnCl was confirmed to catalyze the ping-pong reaction of GPx with higher Vmax than ebselen and (PhSe)2, but the catalytic efficiency calculated for the cosubstrates glutathione (GSH) and H2O2, and particularly the high reactivity against thiols (lowest KM for GSH in the series of test molecules), suggested poor biological applicability of PhSeZnCl as a GPx mimetic. Cytotoxicity of PhSeZnCl was demonstrated in various cancer cell lines via increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, depletion of intracellular thiols, and induction of apoptosis. Experiments carried out in GSH S-transferase P (GSTP)-overexpressing K562 human erythroleukemia cells and in GSTP1-1-knockout murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) demonstrated that this cytosolic enzyme represents a preferential target of the redox disturbances produced by this Se-compound with a key role in controlling H2O2 generation and the perturbation of stress/survival kinase signaling. Microencapsulation was adopted as a strategy to control the thiol reactivity and oxidative stress effects of PhSeZnCl, then assessing applications alternative to anticancer. The uptake of this “depowered” GPx-mimetic formulation, which occurred through an endocytosis-like mechanism, resulted in a marked reduction of cytotoxicity. In MCF-7 cells transfected with different allelic variants of GSTP, M-PhSeZnCl lowered the burst of cellular ROS induced by the exposure to extracellular H2O2, and the extent of this effect changed between the GSTP variants. Microencapsulation is a straightforward strategy to mitigate the toxicity of thiol-reactive Se-organic drugs that enhanced the antioxidant and cellular protective effects of PhSeZnCl. A mechanistic linkage

A tricyclic anti-depressant, amitriptyline, is a highly prescribed drug for cancer patients for mood elevation but there are limited studies about the interaction of amitriptyline with glutathioneS-transferases pi (GST-π) and glutathioneS-transferases alpha (GST-α). GST isozymes have been implicated in chemotherapeutic drug resistance. We demonstrated that the concentration dependent inhibition of GST-π and GST-α by amitriptyline followed inverse hyperbolic inhibition curves with IC(50) values of 5.54 and 8.32 mM, respectively. When the varied substrate was GSH, amitriptyline inhibited both isozymes competitively and similar K(i) values were found for GST-π (K(i) = 1.61 ± 0.17 mM) and GST-α (K(i) = 1.45 ± 0.20 mM). On the other hand, when the varied substrate was CDNB, the inhibition types were non-competitive for GST-π (K(i) = 1.98 ± 0.31 mM) and competitive for GST-α (K(i) = 1.57 ± 0.16 mM). Amitriptyline, in addition to its antidepressant effect, might also have a minor supportive role on the effectiveness of the anticancer drugs by decreasing their elimination through inhibiting GST-π and GST-α. PMID:22145766

Influence of housefly maggot meal (magmeal) diets on the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathioneS-transferase (GST) and glycogen concentration in liver of Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerling was evaluated. Triplicate groups of fifteen fish (initial average weight 2.0+/-0.1 g) were fed eight weeks with seven test diets (in average 36% crude protein, dry matter) formulated by replacing fish meal with magmeal. Percentage body weight gain (591-724.46%), food conversion ratio (1.05-1.22) and standard growth rate (3.45-3.76) in all feeding groups were not significantly different (P<0.05). No significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in liver glycogen reserve (175.27-236.88 micromol g(-1)) among the fish groups. Hepatic catalase activity also did not differ significantly. However, elevated glutathioneS-transferases activities were observed when fish received higher dietary magmeal concentration. This might have been temporary with no real physiological implication when appraised by the growth responses. These results indicate that magmeal was well utilized by the fish and its incorporation into tilapia diets seems to have no oxidative stress generating effect on fish metabolism and may not be containing any compound that stimulates the generation of reactive oxygen species. Magmeal can effectively be used as an alternative protein source in tilapia fingerling production. PMID:17400494

Administration of clofibrate reduced the maximal excretion rate of bile sulfobromophthalein (BSP) in rats but left that of phenol-3,6-dibromophthalein (DBSP) unchanged. This decrease in liver transport of BSP was due to reduced bile excretion of conjugated BSP. Hepatic uptake and storage of this dye were not impaired. Liver glutathioneS-transferase activity in vitro, measured with BSP, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) or 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was significantly reduced. This alteration in liver conjugating activity was probably not related to a modification of the hepatic GSH pool, since the GSH level was unchanged or only increased slightly after clofibrate treatment. Detection of this inhibition required at least two daily doses of clofibrate. Inhibition was dose-related and lasted for several days after cessation of the drug. In clofibrate-treated rats, Lineweaver-Burk plots showed a reduced Vmax for both the BSP and GSH substrates. These results suggest that clofibrate decreases hepatobiliary transport of BSP by lowering glutathioneS-transferase activity in the liver. PMID:6477642

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are a class of enzymes that facilitate the detoxification of xenobiotics, and also play important roles in antioxidant defense. We identified two glutathioneS-transferase isoforms (VpGSTS, sigma GST; VpGSTO, omega GST) from Venerupis philippinarum by RACE approaches. The open reading frames of VpGSTS and VpGSTO were of 612 bp and 729 bp, encoding 203 and 242 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 22.88 and 27.94 kDa, respectively. The expression profiles of VpGSTS and VpGSTO responded to heavy metals and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) exposure were investigated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The expression of VpGSTS and VpGSTO were both rapidly up-regulated, however, they showed differential expression patterns to different toxicants. Cd displayed stronger induction of VpGSTS expression with an approximately 12-fold increase than that of VpGSTO with a maximum 6.4-fold rise. Cu exposure resulted in similar expression patterns for both VpGSTS and VpGSTO. For B[a]P exposure, the maximum induction of VpGSTO was approximately two times higher than that of VpGSTS. Altogether, these findings implied the involvement of VpGSTS and VpGSTO in host antioxidant responses, and highlighted their potential as a biomarker to Cd and B[a]P exposure.

Idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions due to the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac have been proposed to be caused by the generation of reactive acyl glucuronides and oxidative metabolites. For the oxidative metabolism of diclofenac by cytochromes P450 at least five different reactive intermediates have been proposed previously based on structural identification of their corresponding GSH-conjugates. In the present study, the ability of four human glutathioneS-transferases (hGSTs) to catalyze the GSH-conjugation of the different reactive intermediates formed by P450s was investigated. Addition of pooled human liver cytosol and recombinant hGSTA1-1, hGSTM1-1, and hGSTP1-1 to incubations of diclofenac with human liver microsomes or purified CYP102A1M11 L437N as a model system significantly increased total GSH-conjugation. The strongest increase of total GSH-conjugation was observed by adding hGSTP1-1, whereas hGSTM1-1 and hGSTA1-1 showed lower activity. Addition of hGSTT1-1 only showed a minor effect. When considering the effects of hGSTs on GSH-conjugation of the different quinoneimines of diclofenac, it was found that hGSTP1-1 showed the highest activity in GSH-conjugation of the quinoneimine derived from 5-hydroxydiclofenac (5-OH-DF). hGSTM1-1 showed the highest activity in inactivation of the quinoneimine derived from 4'-hydroxydiclofenac (4'-OH-DF). Separate incubations with 5-OH-DF and 4'-OH-DF as substrates confirmed these results. hGSTs also catalyzed GSH-conjugation of the o-iminemethide formed by oxidative decarboxylation of diclofenac as well as the substitution of one of the chlorine atoms of DF by GSH. hGSTP1-1 showed the highest activity for the formation of these minor GSH-conjugates. These results suggest that hGSTs may play an important role in the inactivation of DF quinoneimines and its minor reactive intermediates especially in stress conditions when tissue levels of GSH are decreased. PMID:24083800

Reaction of rat liver glutathioneS-transferase, isozyme 1-1, with 4-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoic acid (4-FSB), a xenobiotic substrate analogue, results in a time-dependent inactivation of the enzyme to a final value of 35% of its original activity when assayed at pH 6.5 with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate. The rate of inactivation exhibits a nonlinear dependence on the concentration of 4-FSB from 0.25 mM to 9 mM, characterized by a KI of 0.78 mM and kmax of 0.011 min-1. S-Hexylglutathione or the xenobiotic substrate analogue, 2,4-dinitrophenol, protects against inactivation of the enzyme by 4-FSB, whereas S-methylglutathione has little effect on the reaction. These experiments indicate that reaction occurs within the active site of the enzyme, probably in the binding site of the xenobiotic substrate, close to the glutathione binding site. Incorporation of [3,5-3H]-4-FSB into the enzyme in the absence and presence of S-hexylglutathione suggests that modification of one residue is responsible for the partial loss of enzyme activity. Tyr 8 and Cys 17 are shown to be the reaction targets of 4-FSB, but only Tyr 8 is protected against 4-FSB by S-hexylglutathione. DTT regenerates cysteine from the reaction product of cysteine and 4-FSB, but does not reactivate the enzyme. These results show that modification of Tyr 8 by 4-FSB causes the partial inactivation of the enzyme. The Michaelis constants for various substrates are not changed by the modification of the enzyme. The pH dependence of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction of glutathione with CDNB for the modified enzyme, as compared with the native enzyme, reveals an increase of about 0.9 in the apparent pKa, which has been interpreted as representing the ionization of enzyme-bound glutathione; however, this pKa of about 7.4 for modified enzyme remains far below the pK of 9.1 for the -SH of free glutathione. Previously, it was considered that Tyr 8 was essential for GST catalysis. In contrast, we conclude that

A major goal of current vaccine development is the induction of strong immune responses against protective antigens delivered by mucosal routes. One of the most promising approaches in that respect relies on the use of live recombinant vaccine carriers. In this study, Mycobacterium bovis BCG was engineered to produce an intracellular glutathioneS-transferase from Schistosoma haematobium (Sh28GST). The gene encoding Sh28GST was placed under the control of the mycobacterial hsp60 promoter on a replicative shuttle plasmid containing a mercury resistance operon as the only selectable marker. The recombinant Sh28GST produced in BCG bound glutathione and expressed enzymatic activity, indicating that its active site was properly folded. Both intraperitoneal and intranasal immunizations of BALB/c mice with the recombinant BCG resulted in strong anti-Sh28GST antibody responses, which were enhanced by a boost. Mice immunized intranasally produced a mixed response with the production of Sh28GST-specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgA in the serum. In addition, high levels of anti-Sh28GST IgA were also found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, demonstrating that intranasal delivery of the recombinant BCG was able to induce long-lasting secretory and systemic immune responses to antigens expressed intracellularly. Surprisingly, intranasal immunization with the BCG producing the Sh28GST induced a much stronger specific humoral response than intranasal immunization with BCG producing the glutathioneS-transferase from Schistosoma mansoni, although the two antigens have over 90% identity. This difference was not observed after intraperitoneal administration. PMID:9826340

Healthy and diseased corals are threatened by different anthropogenic sources, such as pollution, a problem expected to become more severe in the near future. Despite the fact that coastal pollution and coral diseases might represent a serious threat to coral reef health, there is a paucity of controlled experiments showing whether the response of diseased and healthy corals to xenobiotics differs. In this study, we exposed healthy and Caribbean yellow band disease (CYBD)-affected Orbicella faveolata colonies to 3 sublethal concentrations of anthracene to test if enzymatic responses to this hydrocarbon were compromised in CYBD-affected tissues. For this, a 2-factorial fully orthogonal design was used in a controlled laboratory bioassay, using tissue condition (2 levels: apparently healthy and diseased) and pollutant concentration (4 levels: experimental control, 10, 30 and 100 ppb concentration) as fixed factors. A permutation-based ANOVA (PERMANOVA) was used to test the effects of condition and concentration on the specific activity of 3 enzymatic biomarkers: catalase, glutathioneS-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase. We found a significant interaction between the concentration of anthracene and the colony condition for catalase (Pseudo-F = 3.84, df = 3, p < 0.05) and glutathioneS-transferase (Pseudo-F = 3.29, df = 3, p < 0.05). Moreover, our results indicated that the enzymatic response to anthracene in CYBD-affected tissues was compromised, as the activity of these enzymes decreased 3- to 4-fold compared to healthy tissues. These results suggest that under a potential scenario of increasing hydrocarbon coastal pollution, colonies of O. faveolata affected with CYBD might become more vulnerable to the deleterious effects of chemical pollution. PMID:27137073

Background: Null genetic polymorphism of GlutathioneS-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and -463 G>A promoter polymorphism of myeloperoxidase (MPO) were studied for association with lung cancer. Materials and Methods: In a case- control study 26 lung cancer patients and 33 healthy individuals from hilly Kumaun region of northern India were investigated. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. GSTT1 null polymorphism was detected by duplex PCR, and MPO polymorphism was detected by performing PCR-RFLP. Results: An increased but statistically non- significant risk for lung cancer was found for GSTT1 null genotype. No association for MPO -463G>A genotype was evident. Conclusion: Further study with large sample size may reveal such association in this population. PMID:25097401

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the glutathioneS-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) gene polymorphisms contributed to development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Subjects and Methods: Fifty women with diagnosis of GDM and 50 control individuals without GDM or altered glucose intolerance during their pregnancy were enrolled in the study. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied to determine the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms. Genotypes were determined according to bands detected with the agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The difference in the frequencies of GSTM1 null genotypes between GDM and control groups was not statistically significant (60% and 54%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between GDM and control groups with respect to GSTT1 null genotype rates (22% and 20%, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows no association between GST gene polymorphisms and GDM. PMID:25429472

Treatment with 5-azacytidine or dietary methyl-group deficiency effected DNA hypomethylation in mouse liver. With these treatments, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.99.2) and some glutathioneS-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) activities were over-expressed, lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) activity was unaffected and the level of cytochrome P-450 was decreased. The 5-azacytidine induction of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase was significantly suppressed by puromycin, suggesting that increased enzyme activity results from an elevated level of enzyme-protein synthesis. Regulation at the transcriptional level was revealed by a substantial increase in mRNA of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase, as shown by Northern-blot analysis. The enzyme pattern observed with 5-azacytidine and with the (carcinogenic) dietary methyl-group deficiency resembles that found in hepatic nodules. Images Fig. 3. PMID:2458098

Among the cytoplasmatic enzymes responsible for neutralization of organic xenobiotics, carboxylesterases (CarE) and glutathioneS-transferases (GST) play important roles. Our study tested to what extent dietary Zn or Cd could modify the activity of CarE and GST at different life-stages of the carabid beetle Poecilus cupreus. Treatment and stage effects generally were statistically significant. For CarE activity in the beetles exposed to cadmium, only treatment was a significant factor. In all cases, the interaction between studied factors was statistically significant, implying that the physiological condition of the animals may enhance or reduce enzyme activity. We also observed differences between animals treated with cadmium and zinc in the pattern of enzyme activity, and a difference in GST activity measured with two different substrates. Our results confirmed that in studying enzyme activity under metal stress one should consider the animal's life-stage and sex. PMID:12727300

The aril of plant Myristica fragrans Houtt. commonly known as mace, which is consumed as a spice as well as used as a folk-medicine, was screened for its effects on the levels of cytosolic glutathioneS-transferase (GST) and acid-soluble sulfhydryl (SH) groups in the liver of young adult male and female Swiss albino mice. Animals were assorted into 4 groups comprised of either sex and received either normal diet (negative control), 1% 2,3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) diet (positive control), 1% mace diet or 2% mace diet for 10 days. There was a significant increase in the GST activity in the liver of mice exposed to BHA or mace. In addition, there was a significant increase in the SH content in the liver of mice fed on 1% BHA and 2% mace diets. PMID:2752386

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin that induces nephrotoxicity and urinary tract tumors, is genotoxic and can be metabolized not only by different cytochromes P450 (CYP) but also by peroxidases involved in the arachidonic cascade, although the exact nature of the metabolites involved in the genotoxic process is still unknown. In order to establish the relation between OTA genotoxicity and the formation of metabolites, we chose three experimental models: kidney microsomes from rabbit, human bronchial epithelial cells, and microsomes from yeast that specifically express the human cytochrome P450 2C9 or 2B6 genes. OTA-DNA adducts were analyzed by (32)P postlabeling and the OTA derivatives formed were isolated by HPLC after incubation of OTA in the presence of: (1) kidney microsomes from rabbit pretreated or not with phenobarbital (PB); (2) human pulmonary epithelial cells simultaneously pretreated (or not) with PB alone or in the presence of ethacrynic acid (EA); (3) microsomes expressing CYP 2B6 and 2C9. PB pretreatment significantly increased DNA adducts formed after OTA treatment, both in the presence of kidney microsomes and bronchial epithelial cells, and induced the formation of new adducts. Ethacrynic acid, which inhibits microsomal glutathione-S-transferase, reduced DNA adduct level. DNA adducts were detected when OTA were incubated with microsomes expressing human CYP 2C9 but not with those expressing CYP 2B6. Several metabolites detected by HPLC were increased after PB treatment. Some of them could be related to DNA-adduct formation. In conclusion, OTA biotransformation, enhanced by PB pretreatment, increased DNA-adduct formation through pathways involving microsomal glutathion-S-transferase and CYP 2C9. PMID:10712746

In recent years there has been considerable interest in the effect of variations in activities of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes on cancer incidence. This interest has accelerated with the development of methods for analyzing genetic polymorphisms. However, progress in epidemiology has been slow and the contributions of polymorphisms to risks from individual chemicals and mixtures are often controversial. A series of studies is presented to show the complexities encountered with a single chemical, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). AFB1 is oxidized by human cytochrome P450 enzymes to several products. Only one of these, the 8,9-exo-epoxide, appears to be mutagenic and the others are detoxication products. P450 3A4, which can both activate and detoxicate AFB1, is found in the liver and the small intestine. In the small intestine, the first contact after oral exposure, epoxidation would not lead to liver cancer. The (nonenzymatic) half-life of the epoxide has been determined to be approximately 1 sec at 23 degrees C and neutral pH. Although the half-life is short, AFB1-8,9-exo-epoxide does react with DNA and glutathioneS-transferase. Levels of these conjugates have been measured and combined with the rate of hydrolysis in a kinetic model to predict constants for binding of the epoxide with DNA and glutathioneS-transferase. A role for epoxide hydrolase in alteration of AFB1 hepatocarcinogenesis has been proposed, although experimental evidence is lacking. Some inhibition of microsome-generated genotoxicity was observed with rat epoxide hydrolase; further information on the extent of contribution of this enzyme to AFB1 metabolism is not yet available. PMID:8781383

Background Some studies have recently focused on the association between glutathioneS-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathioneS-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null polymorphisms and hypertension; however, results have been inconsistent. Objective In order to drive a more precise estimation, the present systematic review and meta-analysis is performed to investigate the relationship between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms and hypertension. Methods Eligible articles were identified by a search of several bibliographic databases for the period up to August 17, 2013. Odds ratios were pooled using either fixed-effects or random-effects models. Results Regarding the GSTM1 null/present genotype, 14 case—control studies were eligible (2773 hypertension cases and 3189 controls). The meta-analysis revealed that it might present a small increased risk for hypertension, although the effect was not statistically significant (odd ratio (OR) = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96, 1.40; P = 0.002, I2 = 59.8%). Further subgroup analysis by ethnicity and control source suggested that the association was still not significant. Thirteen case—control studies were eligible for GSTT1 (2497 hypertension cases and 3078 controls). No statistically significant association was observed between the GSTT1 null genotype and hypertension risk (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.85, 1.53; P = 0.000, I2 = 80.3%). Furthermore, stratification by ethnicity and control source indicated no association between the GSTT1 null genotype and hypertension risk. We further confirmed the association by sensitivity analysis. No publication bias was detected. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of hypertension. Future large well-designed epidemiological studies with individual information, lifestyle factors, and environmental factors are warranted to validate the present findings. PMID:25742618

Breast cancer is a complex disease and in recent years a number of breast cancer susceptibility genes have been identified, but the role of low penetrance susceptibility genes has not been completely resolved. GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are phase II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes involved in the detoxification of chemical carcinogens and environmental pollutants and play an important role in cell defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. They have been in the spot light for the investigation of a potential association with breast cancer risk but so far, sparse or even no data for a potential contribution of GSTA2, GSTM2, GSTO, and GSTZ to breast cancer risk are available. We genotyped GSTA2_448_C > G (rs2180314), GSTA2_742_A > C (rs6577), GSTM2_-832_T > C (rs638820), GSTO1_-1242_G > A (rs2164624), GSTO1_419_A > C (rs4925), GSTO2_-183_A > G (rs2297235), GSTO2_342_A > G (rs156697), GSTZ1_-4378_A > G (rs1046428), and GSTZ1_94_G > A (rs3177427) by MALDI-TOF MS in the German GENICA breast cancer case-control collection of 1021 cases and 1015 controls and performed breast cancer risk association in general and with respect to the stratifications: menopausal status, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, use of oral contraceptives, use of hormone therapy, body mass index, and smoking as well as histopathological tumor characteristics including hormone receptor status, grade, histology, and node status. We did not observe any breast cancer risk associations and conclude that it is unlikely that glutathioneS-transferases GSTA2, GSTM2, GSTO1, GSTO2, and GSTZ1 participate in breast cancer susceptibility. PMID:19859803

Extensive use of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in leather tanning, stainless-steel production, wood preservatives and electroplating industries has resulted in widespread environmental pollution and poses a serious threat to human health. A plant's response to Cr(VI) stress results in growth inhibition and toxicity leading to changes in components of antioxidant systems. In a previous study, we observed that a large number of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) genes were up-regulated under Cr(VI) stress in rice. In this study, two rice root-specific Tau class GST genes (OsGSTU30 and OsGSTU41) were introduced into yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe). Transformed yeast cells overexpressing OsGSTU30 and OsGSTU41 had normal growth, but had much higher levels of GST activities and showed enhanced resistance to Cr(VI) as compared to control cells (transformed with empty vector). Also, a higher accumulation of chromium was found in the transformed yeast cells as compared to the control cells. Manipulation of glutathione biosynthesis by exogenous application of buthionine sulfoximine abolishes the protective effect of OsGSTs against Cr(VI) stress. These results suggest that Tau class OsGSTs play a significant role in detoxification of Cr(VI), probably by chelating and sequestrating glutathione-Cr(VI) complexes into vacuoles. PMID:24968244

The 3-dimensional crystal structure of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) fused with a conserved neutralizing epitope on gp41 (glycoprotein, 41 kDa) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was determined at 2.5 A resolution. The structure of the 3-3 isozyme rat GST of the mu gene class was used as a molecular replacement model. The structure consists of a 4-stranded beta-sheet and 3 alpha-helices in domain 1 and 5 alpha-helices in domain 2. The space group of the Sj GST crystal is P4(sub 3)2(sub 1)2 with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 94.7 A, and c = 58.1 A. The crystal has 1 GST monomer per asymmetric unit, and 2 monomers that form an active dimer are related by crystallographic 2-fold symmetry. In the binding site, the ordered structure of reduced glutathione is observed. The gp41 peptide (Glu-Leu-Asp-Lys-Trp-Ala) fused to the C-terminus of Sj GST forms a loop stabilized by symmetry-related GSTs. The Sj GST structure is compared with previously determined GST structures of mammalian gene classes mu, alpha, and pi. Conserved amino acid residues among the 4 GSTs that are important for hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions for dimer association and glutathione binding are discussed.

Wuchereria bancrofti glutathioneS-transferase (Wb-GST) is referred as a promising chemotherapeutic target for lymphatic filariasis. GST represents the major class of detoxifying enzymes of the tissue dwelling parasitic helminths. Though many inhibition studies were carried out for Wb-GST, understanding its genetic distribution in parasite population is necessary to develop ideal inhibitor. Our genetic polymorphic studies exposed the existence of three variant Wb-GST alleles in the four endemic regions of India. Moreover, it also revealed the variability in the distribution of Wb-GST alleles in the studied population. Therefore we cloned, expressed and purified the recombinant variant Wb-GST proteins to study the mutation impact on its structure and hence on its catalysis. Among the studied mutations, the I60F/G78S substitutions in the N-terminal domain and loop region connecting the two domains of Wb-GST lowered the affinity for glutathione and its analog, S-hexyl glutathione. Moreover, molecular modeling and docking studies revealed that the I60F/G78S mutations affected the proximity of Trp38 and Arg95 in glutathione binding site resulting in weaker interaction with S-hexyl glutathione. Besides, the variants also had lower affinity (Ki) and higher IC50 values for well-known GST inhibitors. Interestingly, the Wb-GST variant proteins showed enhanced catalytic efficiency for lipid peroxidation products which are produced due to oxidative stress. Thus, our study provides evidence for the functional impact of mutations on Wb-GST protein and also spotlights the mechanisms of parasite survival against the host oxidative stress environment. PMID:24188745

Abstract

The ability of the fetus to detoxify transplacental drugs and chemicals can be a critical determinant of teratogenesis and developmental toxicity. Developmentally regulated expression of alpha class glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) is of particular int...

The gluthathione S-transferase gene of the atrazine-degrading bacterium Ochrobactrum anthropi (OaGST) encodes a single-subunit polypeptide of 201 amino acid residues (Favaloro et al. 1998, Biochem. J. 335, 573-579). RNA blot analysis showed that the gene is transcribed into an mRNA of about 800 nucleotides, indicating a monocistronic transcription of the OaGST gene. The modulation of OaGST in this bacterium, in the presence of different stimulants, was investigated. The level of expression of OaGST was detected both by measuring the mRNA level and by immunoblotting experiments. OaGST is a constitutive enzyme which is also inducible by several stimulants. In fact, atrazine caused an increase in the expression of OaGST even at concentrations which had no effect on growth rates of the bacteria. Moreover, the presence of other aromatic substrates of this bacterium, such as phenol and chlorophenols, leads to a marked enhancement in OaGST expression. In this case, the expression of OaGST was related to growth inhibition and membrane damage caused by these hydrophobic compounds, and to the adaptive responses of the cell membranes. On the other hand, toluene and xylene, two aromatic compounds not degradable by this bacterium, did not induce the OaGST expression. The same was observed for other stress conditions such as low pH, heat shock, hydrogen peroxide, osmotic stress, starvation, the presence of aliphatic alcohols or heavy metals. These results suggest a co-regulation of the OaGST gene by the catabolic pathways of phenols and chlorophenols in this bacterium. Therefore, OaGST could function as a detoxifying agent within the catabolism of these xenobiotics. PMID:10677378

We have identified a region in the 5' flanking sequence of the glutathioneS-transferase (RX:glutathione R-transferase, EC 2.5.1.18) Ya subunit gene that contains a unique xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE). The regulatory region spans nucleotides -722 to -682 of the 5' flanking sequence and is responsible for part of the basal level as well as inducible expression of the Ya subunit gene by planar aromatic compounds such as beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF) and 3-methyl-cholanthrene. The DNA sequence of this region (beta-NF-responsive element) is distinct from the DNA sequence of the XRE found in the cytochrome P-450 IA1 gene. In addition to the region containing the beta-NF-responsive element, two other regulatory regions of the Ya subunit gene have been identified. One region spans nucleotides -867 to -857 and has a DNA sequence with identity to the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 recognition motif found in several liver-specific genes. The second region spans nucleotides -908 to -899 and contains a DNA sequence with identity to the XRE found in the cytochrome P-450 IA1 gene. The XRE sequence also contributes to part of the responsiveness of the Ya subunit gene to planar aromatic compounds. Our data suggest that regulation of gene expression by planar aromatic compounds can be mediated by a DNA sequence that is distinct from the XRE sequence. Images PMID:2160079

The citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor), a major citrus pest distributed worldwide, has been found to be resistant to various insecticides and acaricides used in China. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with the abamectin resistance in this species have not yet been reported. In this study, results showed over-expression of a novel glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) gene (PcGSTm5) in abamectin-resistant P. citri. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the transcripts of PcGSTm5 were also significantly up-regulated after exposure to abamectin and the maximum mRNA expression level at nymphal stage. The recombinant protein of PcGSTm5-pET-28a produced by Escherichia coli showed a pronounced activity toward the conjugates of 1-chloro-2,4 dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and glutathione (GSH). The kinetics of CDNB and GSH and its optimal pH and thermal stability were also determined. Reverse genetic study through a new method of leaf-mediated dsRNA feeding further support a link between the expression of PcGSTm5 and abamectin resistance. However, no direct evidence was found in metabolism or inhibition assays to confirm the hypothesis that PcGSTm5 can metabolize abamectin. Finally, it is here speculated that PcGSTm5 may play a role in abamectin detoxification through other pathway such as the antioxidant protection. PMID:27521916

Concentrations of glutathioneS-transferase (GST; glutathione transferase; EC 2.5.1.18) B1 subunits, F protein, and the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT; EC 2.6.1.2) were measured in sequential plasma samples taken from nine patients with self-administered paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning. GST exceeded the reference interval in all patients at the time of admission, and F protein was increased in seven. In contrast, abnormal activities of ALT in plasma were found in only one of the nine on admission, a patient admitted 12 h after poisoning. Subsequent to admission nine, eight, and five patients, respectively, had abnormal concentrations of GST, F protein, and ALT. When expressed as multiples of the upper reference limit, the highest values for GST measured in each patient always far exceeded the greatest abnormalities in ALT; this was true for F protein in only five patients. Patients in whom the concentration of GST exceeded 10 micrograms/L on admission subsequently went on to develop moderate or severe liver damage, despite treatment with N-acetylcysteine. F protein and ALT measurements on admission were not as efficient as GST at predicting the clinical outcome of the patients. We conclude that GST and F protein offer clear advantages over ALT for detecting minor degrees of acute liver dysfunction, particularly when only centrilobular damage may be involved. PMID:2582614

We report the antitumor effects of nitric oxide (NO) releasing derivatives of the PARP-1 inhibitor olaparib (1). Compound 5b was prepared by coupling the carboxyl group of 3b and the free amino group of arylated diazeniumdiolated piperazine 4. Analogue 5a has the same structure except that the F is replaced by H. Compound 13 is the same as 5b except that a Me2N–N(O)=NO– group was added para and ortho to the nitro groups of the dinitrophenyl ring. The resulting prodrugs are activated by glutathione in a reaction accelerated by glutathioneS-transferase P1 (GSTP1), an enzyme frequently overexpressed in cancers. This metabolism generates NO plus a PARP-1 inhibitor simultaneously, consuming reducing equivalents, leading to DNA damage concomitant with inhibition of DNA repair, and in the case of 13 inducing cross-linking glutathionylation of proteins. Compounds 5b and 13 reduced the growth rates of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts with no evidence of systemic toxicity. PMID:24521039

Immobilized protein receptors and enzymes are tools for isolating or enriching ligands and substrates based on affinity. For example, glutathioneS-transferase (GST) is fused to proteins as a tag for binding to its substrate glutathione (GSH) linked to solid supports. One issue with this approach is that high-affinity interactions between receptors and ligands require harsh elution conditions such as low pH, which can result in leached receptor. Another issue is the inherent nonspecific chemical conjugation of reactive groups such as N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) that couple lysines to solid supports; the nonspecificity of NHS may result in residue modifications near the binding site(s) of the receptor that can affect ligand specificity. In this study, a simple conjugation procedure is presented that overcomes these limitations and results in immobilized GST fusion proteins that are functional and specific. Here, the affinity of GST for GSH was used to generate an enzyme-substrate site-specific cross-linking reaction; GSH-Sepharose was preactivated with 1-ethyl-3-(dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) and then incubated Fc gamma receptor IIIa (FcγRIIIa)-GST. The immobilized FcγRIIIa-GST more specifically bound glycosylated immunoglobulin G1s (IgG1s) and was used to enrich nonfucosylated IgG1s from weaker binding species. This technique can be used when modifications of amino acids lead to changes in activity. PMID:27063248

A vector has been constructed to allow genetic fusions of guest antigens via a hinge domain to the C terminus of the highly immunogenic C fragment of tetanus toxin. A fusion has been constructed with the gene encoding the protective 28-kDa glutathioneS-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) from Schistosoma mansoni. The recombinant vector has been electroporated into the nonvirulent Salmonella typhimurium aroA live vaccine strain SL3261. The corresponding chimeric protein is stably expressed in a soluble form in Salmonella as evaluated by Western blotting with fragment C and glutathioneS-transferase antisera. Mice immunized intravenously with a single dose of the live recombinant bacteria elicit antibodies to both fragment C and glutathioneS-transferase as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Furthermore, all of the mice were solidly protected when challenged with lethal doses of either tetanus toxin or the virulent Salmonella typhimurium strain C5. Mice have also elicited antibodies to fragment C and glutathioneS-transferase after oral immunization. It may be that a live trivalent vaccine against typhoid, tetanus, and schistosomiasis is feasible. Images PMID:7972044

On account of its extreme intrinsic resistance to apoptosis and of its strong ability to become chemoresistant after a primary response to drugs, malignant melanoma (MM) is still a therapeutic challenge. We previously showed that glutathioneS-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) acts in synergy with multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) to protect GSTM1-transfected human CAL1 melanoma cells from toxic effects of vincristine (VCR). Herein, we investigated the role of these proteins in the acquired resistance of CAL1 cells to vinca alkaloids (VAs). Resistant lines were established by continuous exposure (>1 year) of parental CAL1-wt cells to VCR, vindesine (VDS), or vinorelbine (VRB): CAL1R-VCR, CAL1R-VDS, CAL1R-VRB, respectively. All resistant lines displayed more than 10-fold increase in resistance to their selection VA, and specifically expressed GSTM1. Suggesting a direct interaction between this protein and VAs, each VA specifically decreased the GSTM1-mediated glutathione conjugation activity in cell lysates. Curcumin (GSTM1 inhibitor), BSO (glutathione synthesis inhibitor), and MK571 (MRP1 inhibitor) considerably reversed the acquired resistance to VCR and VDS, but not to VRB. Microarray data analysis revealed similar gene expression patterns of CAL1R-VCR and CAL1R-VDS, and a distinct one for CAL1R-VRB. These data suggest a differential involvement of GSTM1 and MRP1 in acquired resistance to VAs. A coordinated expression and activity of GSTM1 and MRP1 is required to protect CAL1 cells from VCR and VDS, while the simple expression of GSTM1 is sufficient, possibly by a direct drug/protein interaction, to confer resistance against VRB. PMID:25283245

The 3-dimensional crystal structure of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) fused with a conserved neutralizing epitope on gp41 (glycoprotein, 41 kDa) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) (Muster T et al., 1993, J Virol 67:6642-6647) was determined at 2.5 A resolution. The structure of the 3-3 isozyme rat GST of the mu gene class (Ji X, Zhang P, Armstrong RN, Gilliland GL, 1992, Biochemistry 31:10169-10184) was used as a molecular replacement model. The structure consists of a 4-stranded beta-sheet and 3 alpha-helices in domain 1 and 5 alpha-helices in domain 2. The space group of the Sj GST crystal is P4(3)2(1)2, with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 94.7 A, and c = 58.1 A. The crystal has 1 GST monomer per asymmetric unit, and 2 monomers that form an active dimer are related by crystallographic 2-fold symmetry. In the binding site, the ordered structure of reduced glutathione is observed. The gp41 peptide (Glu-Leu-Asp-Lys-Trp-Ala) fused to the C-terminus of Sj GST forms a loop stabilized by symmetry-related GSTs. The Sj GST structure is compared with previously determined GST structures of mammalian gene classes mu, alpha, and pi. Conserved amino acid residues among the 4 GSTs that are important for hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions for dimer association and glutathione binding are discussed.

Members of the glutathioneS-transferase superfamily can protect organisms against oxidative stress. In this study, we characterized an omega glutathioneS-transferase from Spodoptera exigua (SeGSTo). The SeGSTo gene contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 744 nucleotides encoding a 248-amino acid polypeptide. The predicted molecular mass and isoelectric point of SeGSTo are 29007 Da and 7.74, respectively. Multiple amino acid sequence alignment analysis shows that the SeGSTo sequence is closely related to the class 4 GSTo of Bombyx mori BmGSTo4 (77 % protein sequence similarity). Homologous modeling and molecular docking reveal that Cys35 may play an essential role in the catalytic process. Additionally, the phylogenetic tree indicates that SeGSTo belongs to the omega group of the GST superfamily. During S. exigua development, SeGSTo is expressed in the midgut of the fifth instar larval stage, but not in the epidermis or fat body. Identification of recombinant SeGSTo via SDS-PAGE and Western blot shows that its molecular mass is 30 kDa. The recombinant SeGSTo was able to protect super-coiled DNA from damage in a metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) system and catalyze the 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), but not 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB), 4-nitrophenethyl bromide (4-NPB), or 4-nitrobenzyl chloride (4-NBC). The optimal reaction pH and temperature were 8 and 50 °C, respectively, in the catalysis of CDNB by recombinant SeGSTo. The mRNA expression of SeGSTo was up-regulated by various oxidative stresses, such as CdCl2, CuSO4, and isoprocarb, and the catalytic activity of recombinant SeGSTo was noticeably inhibited by heavy metals (Cu(2+) and Cd(2+)) and various pesticides. Taken together, these results indicate that SeGSTo plays an important role in the antioxidation and detoxification of pesticides. PMID:27230212

Background Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH) is one of the most common adverse effects associated with tuberculosis (TB) therapy. Animal studies have demonstrated important roles of glutathioneS-transferases in the prevention of chemical-induced hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of glutathioneS-transferase P1 (GSTP1) and ATDH in TB patients. Methods We used two independent samples for this genetic association study. In the initial prospective study, 322 newly diagnosed TB patients were followed up for three months after initiating anti-TB therapy. In an independent retrospective study, 115 ATDH patients and 116 patients without ATDH were selected to verify the results of the prospective study. Tag-SNPs of GSTP1 were genotyped either with the MassARRAY platform or the improved multiple ligase detection reaction (iMLDR) method. The associations between SNPs and ATDH were analyzed by logistic regression analysis adjusting for confounding factors. Results Of the 322 patients recruited in the prospective cohort, 35 were excluded during the 3 months of follow-up, and 30 were diagnosed with ATDH and were considered as the ATDH group. The remaining 257 subjects without ATDH were considered as the non-ATDH group. After correction for potential confounding factors, significant differences were found for rs1695 (A>G) under an allelic model (OR = 3.876, 95%CI: 1.258011.905; P = 0.018). In the retrospective study, rs1695 allele A also had a higher risk of ATDH (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.17–3.76; P = 0.012). We only found rs4147581AA genotype under a dominant model was related to ATDH in the prospective study (OR = 2.578, 95%CI: 1.076–6.173; P = 0.034). Conclusions This is the first study to suggest that GSTP1 genotyping can be an important tool for identifying patients who are susceptible to ATDH. This result should be verified in independent large sample studies and also

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and associated with oxidative stress resulting from accumulation of free radicals in body's tissues, which especially affects beta cells in pancreas and is an important factor in the development of diabetes and its complications. GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are a family of antioxidant enzymes that play important roles in decreasing ROS species and act as a kind of antioxidant defense. In a case-control study, we investigated the role of GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism in predisposition to T2DM in patients from Tarabah province, Saudi Arabia. The polymorphism was screened by PCR-RFLP in 90 T2DM patients and 87 healthy controls. The genotypes and alleles frequencies in cases and controls were assessed using Cochran-Armitage trend test and odds ratios (ORs), and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) in different genetic models of inheritance were calculated. Our data indicate that G allele (Val) is associated with an increased risk for T2DM in this population in any combination (OR 4.101, 95 % CI 1.986-8.469, P = 0.00008). This indicates that individuals who are carriers for the mutant allele, either in homozygous (GG) or heterozygous (AG) state, are at fourfold higher risk for development of T2DM than other subjects in this population. PMID:27368697

GlutathioneS-transferases (GST) are considered among the most controversial biomarkers of water pollutants in fish with little known about factors influencing their activities. The objective of this study was to investigate how gender, dose, ploidy, and sampling time alter hepatic GST activities in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) following β-naphthoflavone (β-NF) injection. Newly matured male and female diploid and triploid fish were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 0, 15, or 75 mg/kg of β-NF, and livers were excised 24, 48, and 72 h post-injection. Results showed that hepatic GST activities were significantly inhibited by both doses of β-NF. Inhibition was greater in females than males, but no significant differences were observed between diploid and triploid fish. Enzymatic activities differed over time with lowest levels 72 h post-injection. These results extend our understanding of GST activity in fish and highlight the necessity of considering confounding factors when comparing different studies. PMID:26452505

Liver sections from aging ad libitum-fed and diet-restricted B6C3F1 male mice were evaluated immunohistochemically for pi-class glutathioneS-transferase (GST-II). GST-II immunostaining of hepatocytes was diffuse and occurred in periportal regions of hepatic acinus, whereas perivenous areas were weakly stained or were stain-free. Expression of GST-II was significantly diminished in diet-restricted mice in all age groups and was associated with a marked decrease in liver tumor development. As most spontaneous liver tumors were GST-II positive, it can be speculated that they developed from GST-II positive initiated hepatocytes. To determine whether dietary restriction induces apoptosis in GST-II-positive hepatocytes, 24-month-old ad libitum-fed mice were introduced to 40% diet restriction. After 1 week of diet restriction, a decrease in GST-II expression was associated with a threefold increase in the frequency of apoptotic bodies as detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d-UTP nick end labeling of DNA fragments. A two-step immunohistochemical procedure revealed that approximately 70% of apoptotic bodies were GST-II positive. These results suggest that spontaneous, potentially preneoplastic hepatocytes in tumor-prone B6C3F1 mice are eliminated by apoptosis with dietary restriction. Images Figure 1 PMID:8909248

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) play versatile functions in multiple aspects of plant growth and development. A comprehensive genome-wide survey of this gene family in the genomes of G. raimondii and G. arboreum was carried out in this study. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the GST gene family of both two diploid cotton species could be divided into eight classes, and approximately all the GST genes within the same subfamily shared similar gene structure. Additionally, the gene structures between the orthologs were highly conserved. The chromosomal localization analyses revealed that GST genes were unevenly distributed across the genome in both G. raimondii and G. arboreum. Tandem duplication could be the major driver for the expansion of GST gene families. Meanwhile, the expression analysis for the selected 40 GST genes showed that they exhibited tissue-specific expression patterns and their expression were induced or repressed by salt stress. Those findings shed lights on the function and evolution of the GST gene family in Gossypium species. PMID:26904090

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are members of a multifunctional enzyme super family that plays a pivotal role in both insecticide resistance and protection against oxidative stress. In this study, we identified a single-copy gene, AccGSTD, as being a Delta class GST in the Chinese honey bee (Apis cerana cerana). A predicted antioxidant response element, CREB, was found in the 1,492-bp 5'-flanking region, suggesting that AccGSTD may be involved in oxidative stress response pathways. Real-time PCR and immunolocalization studies demonstrated that AccGSTD exhibited both developmental- and tissue-specific expression patterns. During development, AccGSTD transcript was increased in adults. The AccGSTD expression level was the highest in the honey bee brain. Thermal stress experiments demonstrated that AccGSTD could be significantly upregulated by temperature changes in a time-dependent manner. It is hypothesized that high expression levels might be due to the increased levels of oxidative stress caused by the temperature challenges. Additionally, functional assays of the recombinant AccGSTD protein revealed that AccGSTD has the capability to protect DNA from oxidative damage. Taken together, these data suggest that AccGSTD may be responsible for antioxidant defense in adult honey bees. PMID:23275971

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes that are mainly involved in detoxification of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds and oxidative stress resistance in insects. In this study, we identified a sigma class GST from Apis cerana cerana (AccGSTs4). The open reading frame of cDNA was 612 bp and encoded a 203 amino acid polypeptide, which exhibited the structural motif and domain organization characteristic of GST. Homology and evolutionary analysis indicated that the induced amino acid sequence of AccGSTs4 belonged to an insect sigma class group. Expression analysis indicated that AccGSTs4 was presented in all stages of development with high level in 4th instar larvae. Immunolocalization further revealed the distribution of AccGSTs4 in 4th instar larvae. RT-qPCR showed that the transcripts of AccGSTs4 from the larvae were upregulated under dietary HgCl(2). The GST activity under stress was higher than the controls fed on HgCl(2)-free diet. Disc diffusion assay provided evidence of recAccGSTs4 resistance to long-term exposure of HgCl(2) stress. Additionally, analysis of 5'-flanking region further clarified the probable expression patterns of AccGSTs4. Taken together, our findings indicate that the larvae AccGSTs4 may play a role in mercury stress response, and it will help to protect honeybees from heavy metals. PMID:22248933

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are members of a multifunctional enzyme super family that plays a pivotal role in both insecticide resistance and protection against oxidative stress. In this study, we identified a single-copy gene, AccGSTD, as being a Delta class GST in the Chinese honey bee ( Apis cerana cerana). A predicted antioxidant response element, CREB, was found in the 1,492-bp 5'-flanking region, suggesting that AccGSTD may be involved in oxidative stress response pathways. Real-time PCR and immunolocalization studies demonstrated that AccGSTD exhibited both developmental- and tissue-specific expression patterns. During development, AccGSTD transcript was increased in adults. The AccGSTD expression level was the highest in the honey bee brain. Thermal stress experiments demonstrated that AccGSTD could be significantly upregulated by temperature changes in a time-dependent manner. It is hypothesized that high expression levels might be due to the increased levels of oxidative stress caused by the temperature challenges. Additionally, functional assays of the recombinant AccGSTD protein revealed that AccGSTD has the capability to protect DNA from oxidative damage. Taken together, these data suggest that AccGSTD may be responsible for antioxidant defense in adult honey bees.

Intestinal helminth parasites are potent inducers of T helper type 2 (Th2) response and have a regulatory role, notably on intestinal inflammation. As infection with schistosomes is unlikely to provide a reliable treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, we have investigated the beneficial effect of a schistosome enzymatic protein, the 28-kDa glutathioneS-transferase (P28GST), on the modulation of disease activity and immune responses in experimental colitis. Our results showed that immunization with recombinant P28GST is at least as efficient as established schistosome infection to reduce colitis lesions and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Considering underlying mechanisms, the decrease of inflammatory parameters was associated with the polarization of the immune system toward a Th2 profile, with local and systemic increases of interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-5. Dense eosinophil infiltration was observed in the colons of P28GST-immunized rats and mice. Depletion of eosinophils by treatment with an anti-Siglec-F monoclonal antibody and use of IL-5-deficient mice led to the loss of therapeutic effect, suggesting the crucial role for eosinophils in colitis prevention by P28GST. These findings reveal that immunization with P28GST, a unique recombinant schistosome enzyme, ameliorates intestinal inflammation through eosinophil-dependent modulation of harmful type 1 responses, representing a new immuno-regulatory strategy against inflammatory bowel diseases. PMID:26174763

A common feature of environmental irritants is their ability to cause local inflammation which could alter airway function. The principal targets of such injury are the epithelial cells lining the airway passages and the lower respiratory gas-exchange areas. While host atopy is a recognized risk factor for airway inflammation, atopy alone cannot cause asthma. We hypothesize that susceptibility to persistent airway inflammation in atopic individuals is characterized by an inherited deficiency in the effectiveness of detoxification of inhaled irritants and products of oxidative stress such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our case-control studies show that polymorphisms at the glutathioneS-transferase, GSTP1, locus on chromosome 11q13 may account for variation in host response to oxidative stress, a key component of airway inflammation. Frequency of the GSTP1 Val/Val genotype is reduced in atopic subjects compared with nonatopic subjects. Trend analysis also shows a significant decrease of GSTP1 Val/Val (with parallel increase of GSTP1 Ile/Ile) genotype frequency with increasing severity of airflow obstruction/bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The implication of specific polymorphisms at the GSTP1 locus in airway inflammation is entirely novel: however, GST are recognized as a supergene family of enzymes critical in 1) cell protection from the toxic products of ROS-mediated reactions, 2) modulation of eicosanoid synthesis. PMID:10919500

Intestinal helminth parasites are potent inducers of T helper type 2 (Th2) response and have a regulatory role, notably on intestinal inflammation. As infection with schistosomes is unlikely to provide a reliable treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, we have investigated the beneficial effect of a schistosome enzymatic protein, the 28-kDa glutathioneS-transferase (P28GST), on the modulation of disease activity and immune responses in experimental colitis. Our results showed that immunization with recombinant P28GST is at least as efficient as established schistosome infection to reduce colitis lesions and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Considering underlying mechanisms, the decrease of inflammatory parameters was associated with the polarization of the immune system toward a Th2 profile, with local and systemic increases of interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-5. Dense eosinophil infiltration was observed in the colons of P28GST-immunized rats and mice. Depletion of eosinophils by treatment with an anti-Siglec-F monoclonal antibody and use of IL-5-deficient mice led to the loss of therapeutic effect, suggesting the crucial role for eosinophils in colitis prevention by P28GST. These findings reveal that immunization with P28GST, a unique recombinant schistosome enzyme, ameliorates intestinal inflammation through eosinophil-dependent modulation of harmful type 1 responses, representing a new immuno-regulatory strategy against inflammatory bowel diseases. PMID:26174763

Genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding glutathioneS-transferase T1 (GSTT1, a member of class theta) and M1 (GSTM1, a member of class mu) have been defined. Previous studies have revealed that there was significant difference between populations for allelic frequency of several members of GSTs. In order to find the prevalence of null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in Afghanis populations the present study was carried out. The total study subjects consisted of 656 unrelated healthy Afghanis refugees living in Fars province (southern Iran). From these 257, 217, 120, and 62 individuals were Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks, respectively. Genetic polymorphisms for GSTT1 and GSTM1 were detected by multiplex PCR. The prevalence of null genotype of GSTM1 in Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks was 42.4, 48.4, 52.5, and 40.3 %, respectively. There was no significant difference between these populations for the genotypic distribution of the GSTM1 polymorphism (χ(2) = 4.67, df = 3, P = 0.197). The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype in Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks was 7.4, 25.3, 25.0, and 29.0 %, respectively. The observed difference between populations for prevalence of GSTT1 null genotype was statistically significant (χ(2) = 35.54, df = 3, P < 0.001). In comparison with European and Asian populations, Afghanistan populations like Iranian populations showed intermediate frequency for GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes. PMID:22539183

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently the only curative therapeutic option for the treatment of thalassemia. In spite of the high cure rate, HSCT can lead to life-threatening adverse events in some patients. Busulfan (Bu) is a key component of the conditioning regimen prior to HSCT. Inter-individual differences in Bu pharmacokinetics (PK) are hypothesized to influence Bu efficacy and toxicity. Since Bu is mainly metabolized by glutathioneS-transferase (GST), we investigated the relationship of GSTA1 and GSTM1 genotypes with first-dose PK and HSCT outcomes in 44 children with thalassemia intermedia and thalassemia major. All children received a myeloablative conditioning regimen with IV Bu. Association analysis revealed a relationship between GSTA169C>T (or haplotype *A/*B) and first Bu dose PK that was dependent on sex and Pesaro risk classification (PRC). Among female patients and patients with PRC I-II, homozygous individuals for the GSTA1T-69 allele defining haplotype *B, had higher Bu exposure and lower clearance (P⩽0.01). Association with HSCT outcomes showed that patients with the GSTM1 null genotypes had higher occurrence of regimen-related toxicity (P=0.01). These results suggest that GST genotypes could be useful to tailor the first Bu dose accordingly to improve HSCT outcome. PMID:26691424

Plant glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional proteins encoded by a large gene family that play major roles in the detoxification of xenobiotics and oxidative stress metabolism. To date, studies on the GST gene family have focused mainly on vascular plants (particularly agricultural plants). In contrast, little information is available on the molecular characteristics of this large gene family in nonvascular plants. In addition, the evolutionary patterns of this family in land plants remain unclear. In this study, we identified 37 GST genes from the whole genome of the moss Physcomitrella patens, a nonvascular representative of early land plants. The 37 P. patens GSTs were divided into 10 classes, including two new classes (hemerythrin and iota). However, no tau GSTs were identified, which represent the largest class among vascular plants. P. patens GST gene family members showed extensive functional divergence in their gene structures, gene expression responses to abiotic stressors, enzymatic characteristics, and the subcellular locations of the encoded proteins. A joint phylogenetic analysis of GSTs from P. patens and other higher vascular plants showed that different class GSTs had distinct duplication patterns during the evolution of land plants. By examining multiple characteristics, this study revealed complex patterns of evolutionary divergence among the GST gene family in land plants. PMID:23188805

Breast milk is regarded as an ideal source of nutrients for the growth and development of neonates, but it can also be a potential source of pollutants. Mothers can be exposed to different contaminants as a result of their lifestyle and environmental pollution. Mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) could adversely affect the development of fetal and neonatal nervous system. Some fish and shellfish are rich in selenium (Se), an essential trace element that forms part of several enzymes related to the detoxification process, including glutathioneS-transferase (GST). The goal of this study was to determine the interaction between Hg, As and Se and analyze its effect on the activity of GST in breast milk. Milk samples were collected from women between day 7 and 10 postpartum. The GST activity was determined spectrophotometrically; total Hg, As and Se concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. To explain the possible association of Hg, As and Se concentrations with GST activity in breast milk, generalized linear models were constructed. The model explained 44% of the GST activity measured in breast milk. The GLM suggests that GST activity was positively correlated with Hg, As and Se concentrations. The activity of the enzyme was also explained by the frequency of consumption of marine fish and shellfish in the diet of the breastfeeding women. PMID:25208800

We analyzed the association between polymorphisms in three glutathioneS-transferase genes (GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1) and the treatment outcome for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We recruited 284 NSCLC patients at advanced stage from Department of Radiotherapy in Peace Hospital Attached to Changzhi Medical College between May 2009 and May 2011, who had received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 genotyping for was determined using DNA pyrosequencing on an ABI Prism 3100 DNA analyzer. In the Cox proportional hazards model, the IIe/Val and Val/Val genotypes of GSTP1 were associated with lower risk of disease progression compared with the IIe/IIe genotype, and the HRs (95%CIs) were 0.37 (0.18-0.74) and 0.15 (0.06-0.35), respectively. The IIe/Val and Val/Val genotypes significantly decreased risk of death from all causes in patients with NSCLC, and the HRs (95%CIs) were 0.52 (0.29-0.92) and 0.37 (0.17- 0.79), respectively No significant association was observed between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and progression-free survival and overall survival in the NSCLC patients. In summary, we suggest that GSTP1 polymorphisms might influence the treatment outcome of advanced NSCLC patients, and our results could help improve individualized therapy. PMID:27525853

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are regulated by various stimuli at the transcriptional level. In this study, a 2,640-bp promoter sequence of a mustard GST gene, BjGSTF2, was cloned. Several truncated BjGSTF2 promoters were generated by 5'-deletion, fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) coding sequence and the chimeric genes expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. Transgene expression in GST2623::GUS plants carrying the longest promoter varied considerably. GUS activity was high in the roots, cotyledons, anthers and both ends of the silique, but it was low or barely detectable in the leaves, seeds, petals and stamens. Analysis of transgenic plants expressing the GUS gene under the control of different truncated BjGSTF2 promoters revealed several regions that possessed cis-acting elements required for the basal and induced expression by H(2)O(2), salicylic acid and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate and down-regulation by spermidine. The results also showed that the GUS activity of GST2623::GUS coincided well with the H(2)O(2) accumulation pattern in cultured leaf-disc explants during the regeneration process. PMID:15926064

The enzymes glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs, E.C.2.5.1.18) have been associated with detoxification of xenobiotics, limiting oxidative damage and other stress responses in plants. In this study, we report the isolation of a mustard gene, BjGSTF2, homologous to the phi class GSTs and changes in plant growth in vivo and shoot regeneration in vitro were related to GST expression. GST transcripts accumulated differentially in mustard organs, where transcript was most abundant in root. Tissues incubated at high temperature or in the presence of exogenous H2O2, HgCl2, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate, salicylic acid and paraquat upregulated GST expression, whereas spermidine was inhibitory. To investigate the in vivo function of GST, transgenic Arabidopsis thalianaplants expressing sense (GST-S6), antisense (GST-A4) and double-stranded BjGSTF2 (GST-DS1) RNAs were generated. GST-S6 was shown to flower two days earlier and was relatively more tolerant to HgCl2 and paraquat, whereas GST-DS1 with least stress tolerance flowered one week later compared to WT and GST-A4. In shoot regeneration response, tissues originated from GST-S6 were highly regenerative, whereas no shoot regeneration was observed in GST-DS1 tissues after 30 days of culture. Results of this study provide the evidence showing that GST plays a role in plant growth and development in vivo and shoot regeneration in vitro. PMID:15821868

The glutathioneS-transferases (EC 2.5.1.18) were purified and characterized from turkey liver for the first time. The enzyme was purified 252.7-fold with a yield of 45%, with a specific activity of 164.31 U/mg from turkey liver. The purity of the enzyme was determined by SDS-PAGE and showed two bands nearly 26 kDa and 24 kDa on the gel. The native molecular mass of the enzyme was found to be approximately 53 kDa by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography. Optimal pH, stable pH, optimal temperature, optimum ionic strength, K(m) and V(max) values for GSH and CDNB were also determined for the enzyme as 7.3, 8.5, 50 °C, 600 mM, 0.154 mM, 0.380 mM, 1.803 EU/ml, and 2.125 EU/ml, respectively. Additionally, inhibitory effects of metal ions (Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Fe(2+), Zn(2+), Ag(+), Mg(2+), Ni(2+), and Mn(2+)) were examined the enzyme's activity in vitro by performing Lineweaver-Burk graphs and plotting activity% vs., respectively. PMID:22989768

A cloning and expression system that allows display of proteins on the surface of filamentous phages was exploited to display a 28-kDa glutathioneS-transferase (Sm28GST) antigen of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. The phage-displayed Sm28GST (pdGST) was immunoreactive and was recognized by immune sera, suggesting that the Sm28GST protein displayed on the surface of phages potentially maintains native conformation. Subsequent immunization studies showed that mice can develop high titers of antibodies against pdGST and do not require any additional adjuvant for immunization. Isotype analysis suggested that the pdGST immunization predominantly induced immunoglobulin G2b (IgG2b), IgG3, and IgM anti-GST antibodies in mice. Furthermore, the pdGST immunization was found to confer about 30% protection after a challenge infection with 100 cercariae of S. mansoni in BALB/c mice. These findings suggest that phage display is a simple, efficient, and promising tool to express candidate vaccine antigens for immunization against infectious agents. PMID:12853382

The variations between different individuals in the xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes' activity were shown to modify susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Polymorphisms associated with genes coding for the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) enzyme were known to affect the metabolism of different carcinogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms, and the GSTP1 Ile105Val single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the susceptibility to childhood ALL. The study was conducted in 95 children with ALL and 190 healthy control subjects from the Turkish population. The data revealed no difference in the prevalence of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes between the childhood ALL patients and the controls. No association was found between GSTP1 Ile105Val variants and the susceptibility to childhood ALL, separately or in combination. Our findings suggested that the status of heritable GST polymorphism might not influence the risk of developing childhood ALL. Studies with a larger sample size are needed to evaluate and confirm the validity of our results. PMID:26137447

Effects of ischaemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) of liver on expression of rat glutathioneS-transferase (rGST) isoenzymes that metabolize products of oxidative stress were examined. Rats underwent lobar liver ischaemia for 30 min followed by reperfusion. In ischaemic lobes, rGSTA1/A2 transcript levels increased significantly 12 h after I/R (2.94-fold) and protein levels increased significantly at 24 h (1.45-fold); increased transcript levels were also observed in nonischaemic lobes (1.78-fold). Superoxide dismutase prevented I/R and the increases in transcript and protein levels in ischaemic and non-ischaemic lobes. By in-situ hybridization, increases in transcript levels at 6 h were present in zones 2 and 3 of the ischaemic lobes and peaked at 12 h (2.5-fold zone 2, 4.5-fold zone 3). Significant increases in transcript levels also were observed at 24 h in zones 2 (2.0-fold) and 3 (2.9-fold) of non-ischaemic lobes. Nuclear run-off assays showed a 1.8-fold increase in rGSTA1/A2 transcription rates in ischaemic lobes at 3 h. We conclude that I/R causes increased rGSTA1/A2 expression in the zone of the hepatic lobule most susceptible to oxidative injury and that this expression may be an important defence against injury. PMID:9461493

Background: GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are important factors in cell sensitivity to oxidative stress and susceptibility to cardiometabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate the GSTM1 and T1 gene polymorphisms, as well as their interactions in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients and healthy individuals in an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised of 220 healthy individuals (mean age: 41.9 – 15.1 years) and 165 MetS patients (mean age: 49.7 – 11.5 years). The diagnostic criteria for MetS were defined following the criteria provided by the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Genotyping of GSTM1 and T1 genes were performed using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Our analyses have shown that neither GSTM1 (odds ratio [OR] =0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 – 1.33, P = 0.57) nor GSTT1 (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.76 – 2.02, P = 0.38) null genotypes were associated with increased risk. Moreover, no significant differences were observed between various combinations of GST genotypes. Conclusion: Contrary to our primary hypothesis, what we found disaffirms any kind of association between GSTM1 and T1 polymorphisms and the risk of MetS. However, being the first polymorphism study of GSTs in MetS patients, further studies are required to confirm our results in other populations. PMID:27135032

delta-Aminolevulinate in plants, algae, cyanobacteria, and several other bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis is synthesized from glutamate by means of a tRNA(Glu) mediated pathway. The enzyme glutamyl tRNA(Glu) reductase catalyzes the second step in this pathway, the reduction of tRNA bound glutamate to give glutamate 1-semialdehyde. The hemA gene from barley encoding the glutamyl tRNA(Glu) reductase was expressed in E. coli cells joined at its amino terminal end to Schistosoma japonicum glutathioneS-transferase (GST). GST-glutamyl tRNA(Glu) reductase fusion protein and the reductase released from it by thrombin digestion catalyzed the reduction of glutamyl tRNA(Glu) to glutamate 1-semialdehyde. The specific activity of the fusion protein was 120 pmol.micrograms-1.min-1. The fusion protein used tRNA(Glu) from barley chloroplasts preferentially to E. coli tRNA(Glu) and its activity was inhibited by hemin. It migrated as an 82-kDa polypeptide with SDS/PAGE and eluted with an apparent molecular mass of 450 kDa from Superose 12. After removal of the GST by thrombin, the protein migrated as an approximately equal to 60-kDa polypeptide with SDS/PAGE, whereas gel filtration on Superose 12 yielded an apparent molecule mass of 250 kDa. Isolated fusion protein contained heme, which could be reduced by NADPH and oxidized by air. PMID:8799193

Induction of phase II enzymes is important in cancer chemoprevention. We compared the effect of rosemary diterpenes on the expression of the pi class of glutathioneS-transferase (GSTP) in rat liver Clone 9 cells and the signaling pathways involved. Culturing cells with 1, 5, 10, or 20 μM carnosic acid (CA) or carnosol (CS) for 24 h in a dose-dependent manner increased the GSTP expression. CA was more potent than CS. The RNA level and the enzyme activity of GSTP were also enhanced by CA treatment. Treatment with 10 μM CA highly induced the reporter activity of the enhancer element GPEI. Furthermore, CA markedly increased the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) from the cytosol to the nucleus after 30 to 60 min. CA the stimulated the protein induction of p38, nuclear Nrf2, and GSTP was diminished in the presence of SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor). In addition, SB203580 pretreatment or silencing of Nrf2 by siRNA suppressed the CA-induced GPEI-DNA binding activity and GSTP protein expression. Knockdown of p38 or Nrf2 by siRNA abolished the activation of p38 and Nrf2 as well as the protein induction and enzyme activity of GSTP by CA. These results suggest that CA up-regulates the expression and enzyme activity of GSTP via the p38/Nrf2/GPEI pathway. PMID:25974399

There is an increasing need for in vitro testing of compounds for topical application. Reconstructed epidermal models may provide a suitable and relevant model for screening compounds that may affect the activities of phase I and II enzymes involved in epidermal detoxification. In this study, we measured the activity of a phase I enzyme, cytochrome P450 IA1, i.e. 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD) activities, and that of a phase II enzyme, glutathioneS-transferase (GST). The enzyme activities were determined in cultured keratinocytes, reconstructed epidermal models and samples of human epidermis or hair follicle. EROD activity was detected in cultured keratinocytes and was induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and beta-naphthoflavone. The level of induction increased with increasing confluence. Induced EROD activity could be inhibited by clotrimazole in a dose-dependent manner. However, EROD activity was not detected in either hair follicles or untreated epidermal models but could be induced by 3-MC. The ability to induce EROD activity in epidermal models was batch dependent, and clotrimazole was able to inhibit the induced EROD activity. ECOD activity was detected in untreated models and paralleled EROD activity. GST activity was detected in cultured keratinocytes and all epidermal models. GST activity in models was equal or higher than the activity in epidermal samples. Reconstructed skin models may be useful to study the effects of non-water-soluble topical formulations on xenobiotic metabolism. PMID:12476009

Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) and metallothionein are important biomarker endpoints in studying the effect of Cd exposure. The purpose of this research was to study the correlation between hepatic GST and metallothionein with hepatic Cd in wild Fejervarya limnocharis exposed to environmental Cd. Results showed that frogs from contaminated sites had significantly higher hepatic metallothionein (3.58 mg/kg wet weight) and GST activity (0.259 μmol/min/mg total protein) than those from the reference site (2.36 mg/kg wet weight and 0.157 μmol/min/mg total protein respectively). There was a significantly positive correlation between hepatic Cd and GST activity (r = 0.802, p = 0.009) but not between hepatic Cd and metallothionein (r = 0.548, p = 0.139). The results concluded that while frogs from the contaminated site had higher GST and metallothionein, only GST showed significant positive correlation with hepatic Cd levels, indicating that hepatic GST activity may be used as a biomarker endpoint. PMID:22722596

The applicability to a medium-term bioassay for liver carcinogens of mathematical formulae for the calculation of numbers of foci per volume was examined in F344 rats. Two weeks after initiation with diethylnitrosamine, animals were given test compounds for 6 weeks, partial hepatectomy being performed at week 3. At week 8, the rats were killed, the livers removed and stained immunohistochemically for assessment of glutathioneS-transferase P form (GST-P)-positive foci development. Numbers and areas of lesions were measured two-dimensionally using a color image analyzer, and the Enzmann and Campbell formulae for estimation of number and volume per cm3 were applied to the results. In addition, three-dimensional reconstruction of individual foci was performed using up to 150 GST-P stained foci, with the aid of a computerized graphic system. Both two- and three-dimensionally expressed quantitative results were found to adequately demonstrate the modifying potential of test chemicals on hepatocarcinogenesis. The three-dimensional approach was only more accurate if most of the foci were small and the liver was enlarged by compound treatment. Stereological reconstruction revealed that the shape of GST-P-positive foci, especially if relatively large, is not always spherical but that many demonstrate irregular branching forms, so that the assumptions behind stereological estimation are not met. The results therefore show that care must be taken in applying mathematical formulae for the calculation of three-dimensional data. PMID:2501249

Global industrial growth has contaminated the soil and water with many hazardous compounds, including heavy metals. These heavy metals are not only toxic to plants but also cause severe human health hazards when leach out into food chain. One of the approaches employed for the decontamination of environment includes identification and overexpression of genes involved in the detoxification mechanism of plants. GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of enzymes, principally known for their role in detoxification reactions. Different classes of GSTs have been used to develop plants with improved detoxification mechanism, but not much information is available for Lambda class of GSTs. Here, we studied expression of OsGSTLs in different rice genotypes under arsenic stress. The study suggests differential expression of these genes in arsenic sensitive and tolerant genotypes. Further, the role of one member of Lambda class OsGSTL2 was studied by expressing in heterologous system, Arabidopsis. Transgenic lines developed were analysed for their response to different abiotic stresses including heavy metals. Analysis suggests that OsGSTL2 provides tolerance for heavy metals and other abiotic stresses like cold, osmotic stress and salt. We conclude that OsGSTLs can be utilized for developing plant varieties tolerant to different abiotic stresses including heavy metals. PMID:23380449

In insects, the precise timing of moulting and metamorphosis is strictly guided by ecdysteroids that are synthesised from dietary cholesterol in the prothoracic gland (PG). In the past decade, several ecdysteroidogenic enzymes, some of which are encoded by the Halloween genes, have been identified and characterised. Here, we report a novel Halloween gene, noppera-bo (nobo), that encodes a member of the glutathioneS-transferase family. nobo was identified as a gene that is predominantly expressed in the PG of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We generated a nobo knock-out mutant, which displayed embryonic lethality and a naked cuticle structure. These phenotypes are typical for Halloween mutants showing embryonic ecdysteroid deficiency. In addition, the PG-specific nobo knock-down larvae displayed an arrested phenotype and reduced 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) titres. Importantly, both embryonic and larval phenotypes were rescued by the administration of 20E or cholesterol. We also confirm that PG cells in nobo loss-of-function larvae abnormally accumulate cholesterol. Considering that cholesterol is the most upstream material for ecdysteroid biosynthesis in the PG, our results raise the possibility that nobo plays a crucial role in regulating the behaviour of cholesterol in steroid biosynthesis in insects. PMID:25300303

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently the only curative therapeutic option for the treatment of thalassemia. In spite of the high cure rate, HSCT can lead to life-threatening adverse events in some patients. Busulfan (Bu) is a key component of the conditioning regimen prior to HSCT. Inter-individual differences in Bu pharmacokinetics (PK) are hypothesized to influence Bu efficacy and toxicity. Since Bu is mainly metabolized by glutathioneS-transferase (GST), we investigated the relationship of GSTA1 and GSTM1 genotypes with first-dose PK and HSCT outcomes in 44 children with thalassemia intermedia and thalassemia major. All children received a myeloablative conditioning regimen with IV Bu. Association analysis revealed a relationship between GSTA169C>T (or haplotype *A/*B) and first Bu dose PK that was dependent on sex and Pesaro risk classification (PRC). Among female patients and patients with PRC I–II, homozygous individuals for the GSTA1T−69 allele defining haplotype *B, had higher Bu exposure and lower clearance (P⩽0.01). Association with HSCT outcomes showed that patients with the GSTM1 null genotypes had higher occurrence of regimen-related toxicity (P=0.01). These results suggest that GST genotypes could be useful to tailor the first Bu dose accordingly to improve HSCT outcome. PMID:26691424

AIM: The study aimed to investigate effects of organic dust exposure from different sources on aflatoxin B1-albumin adducts (AFB1/Alb), and role of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) gene polymorphism in hepatotoxicity of (AFB1) among exposed workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Liver enzymes, AFB1/Alb, and GST polymorphism were estimated in 132 wheat flour dust and 87 woods sawmill workers, and 156 controls. RESULTS: Results revealed that AFB1/Alb and liver enzymes were significantly elevated in exposed workers compared to controls, and were significantly higher in sawmill workers compared to flour workers. AFB1/Alb in flour and sawmill workers with GSTT1 and GSTM1&GSTT1 null genotypes were significantly higher than controls, and in sawmill workers with GSTM1&GSTT1 null than flour workers. Liver enzymes (ALT and AST) in sawmill workers were significantly higher than flour workers and controls in all GST polymorphism; except in GSTT1 polymorphism, where these enzymes were significantly higher in the two exposed groups than controls. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, organic dust exposure may cause elevation in AFB1/Alb and liver enzymes of exposed workers, and GST gene polymorphism plays an important role in susceptibility to hepatic parenchymal cell injury; except in workers with GSTT1&GSTM1 null genotype, gene susceptibility seemed to have little role and the main role was for environmental exposures. PMID:27335608

Azathioprine (AZA) is a thiopurine prodrug which is widely used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the use is limited in one-third of patients because of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or a lack of clinical response. It has been considered that the polymorphic enzyme thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) plays an important role in the in vivo process of AZA and the occurrence of its myelotoxicity. GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) mutation is another pharmacogenetic polymorphism which is probably involved in AZA metabolism and tolerance. The aim of this study was to investigate the association among GST polymorphism, enzyme activity and AZA-related ADRs in Chinese Han patients with IBD. We found that the patients who became neutropenic had a significantly higher GSTs activity when compared with of the patients who did not develop ADRs (analysis of variance, P < 0.001). There was also a significant underrepresentation of GSTP1*-105V allele among patients developing ADRs (odds ratio [OR] = 0.125, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.022-0.709, P = 0.0012). The patients with higher GST activity constituted a pharmacogenetic high risk group for leucopenia during AZA treatment. GST-P1 Ile105/Ile105 genotype appeared to be a promising marker indicating predisposition to AZA-related ADRs. PMID:26432087

There is evidence that genetic factors influence the probability of comorbidity of tobacco use disorder (TUD) with mood disorders. This study was carried out to examine whether both TUD and mood disorders are associated with genetic biomarkers particularly paraoxonase 1 (PON1) status, polymorphisms of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs), such as GSTM1 and GSTT1, and the STIn 2 polymorphism of the serotonin transporter. PON1 status (Q192R polymorphism and PON1 plasmatic activity), GSTM1, GSTT1, and STin.2 genotypes and alleles were assayed in 4 mutually exclusive study groups, i.e., comorbid mood disorder and TUD (n=95); TUD without mood disorders (n=90); mood disorders but no TUD (n=62); and controls (never-smokers without mood disorders; n=113). Logistic regression analyses showed that comorbid mood disorders and TUD were associated with significantly lower PON1 activity, the STin2.10/10 genotype (protective) or the Stin2.12 allele (risk factor) and the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes (protective). These results show that comorbid mood disorders and TUD are associated with specific biomarkers related to oxidative stress and serotonin pathways. PMID:25445355

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are phase II enzymes that facilitate the detoxification of xenobiotics and play important roles in antioxidant defense. We investigated the expression patterns of seven Venerupis philippinarum GSTs ( VpGSTs) and four Mytilus galloprovincialis GSTs ( MgGSTs) following exposure to BDE-47. Differential expressions of the seven VpGSTs and four Mg GSTs transcripts were observed, with differences between the hepatopancreas and gills. Among these GSTs, the sigma classes ( VpGSTS1, VpGSTS2, VpGSTS3, MgGST1, and MgGST3) were highly expressed in response to BDE-47 exposure, demonstrating their potential as molecular biomarkers for environmental biomonitoring studies. We obtained the three-dimensional crystal structures of VpGSTs and MgGSTs by homologous modeling. A model to elucidate the binding interactions between the ligands and receptors was defined by molecular docking. Hydrophobic and π were the most often observed interactions between BDE-47 and the GSTs.

Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito borne parasitic infection and can severely affect the normal working ability of an individual. Currently there is no vaccine available to prevent this infection and the development of a potential vaccine could effectively support the on-going mass drug administration program by World Health Organization (WHO). Filarial parasites have complex mechanisms to modulate the host immune responses against them. The glutathione-S-transferases (GST) are the important enzymes effectively involved to counteract the oxidative free radicals produced by the host. In the present study, we have shown that the mastomys which are fully permissible rodents for Brugia malayi when immunized with Wuchereria bancrofti recombinant GST (rWbGST) could induce 65.5 % in situ cytotoxicity against B. malayi infective (L3) larvae. There was a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response in the vaccinated animals, characterized by higher levels of WbGST-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies and pronounced IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-4 cytokines production by the spleen cells. PMID:27605739

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer, which is the second most severe cancer of women worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Although vaccines against HPV infection are commercially available, they are neither affordable nor accessible to women in low income countries e.g. Africa. Thus, alternative cost-effective vaccine production approaches need to be developed. This study uses tobacco plants to express pentameric capsomeres of HPV that have been reported to generate elevated immune responses against HPV. A modified HPV-16 L1 (L1_2xCysM) protein has been expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in tobacco chloroplasts following biolistic transformation. In total 7 transplastomic lines with healthy phenotypes were generated. Site specific integration of the GST-L1_2xCysM and aadA genes was confirmed by PCR. Southern blot analysis verified homogenous transformation of all transplastomic lines. Antigen capture ELISA with the conformation-specific antibody Ritti01, showed protein expression as well as the retention of immunogenic epitopes of L1 protein. In their morphology, GST-L1 expressing tobacco plants were identical to wild type plants and yielded fertile flowers. Taken together, these data enrich knowledge for future development of cost-effective plant-made vaccines against HPV. PMID:25483463

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) belong to a group of multigene detoxification enzymes, which defend cells against oxidative stress. Tannery workers are at risk of oxidative damage that is usually detoxified by GSTs. This study investigated the genotypic frequencies of GST Mu1 (GSTM1) and GST Theta1 (GSTT1) in Bangladeshi tannery workers and healthy controls followed by their status of oxidative stress and total GST activity. Of the 188 individuals, 50.0% had both GSTM1 and GSTT1 (+/+), 12.2% had GSTM1 (+/−), 31.4% had GSTT1 (−/+) alleles, and 6.4% had null genotypes (−/−) with respect to both GSTM1 and GSTT1 alleles. Among 109 healthy controls, 54.1% were double positive, 9.2% had GSTM1 allele, 32.1% had GSTT1 allele, and 4.6% had null genotypes. Out of 79 tannery workers, 44.3% were +/+, 16.8% were +/−, 30.5% were −/+, and 8.4% were −/−. Though the polymorphic genotypes or allelic variants of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were distributed among the study subjects with different frequencies, the differences between the study groups were not statistically significant. GST activity did not vary significantly between the two groups and also among different genotypes while level of lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in tannery workers compared to controls irrespective of their GST genotypes. PMID:27294127

Objectives: The application of brassinosteroids (BRs), the plant steroidal hormones, results in an increased tolerance toward stress and thus helps improving the yield of crop plants. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of 28-homobrassinolide (28-HBL) on the protein content as well as activities of antioxidant enzymes viz., glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in radish plants grown under Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg) metal stress. Materials and Methods: Shoots of 60 and 90 days old radish plants, grown under Cd and Hg metal stress (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mM) and given the presowing treatment of 28-HBL (0, 10-7, 10-9, 10-11 M) to seeds for 8 h, were analyzed for protein content and GST and PPO enzyme activities. Results: Protein content showed decrease in plants given Cd and Hg metal treatment alone, while treatment with 28-HBL enhanced the protein content, suggesting its stress protective role. An increase in the activity of antioxidative enzymes was also observed in plants stressed with heavy metals as well as in those supplemented with 28-HBL. Conclusions: In the present investigation, the activity of antioxidative enzymes was found to increase due to metal stress and a further increase was noticed in plants given both metal and 28-HBL treatment, suggesting the stress protective role of 28-HBL via modulating the antioxidative enzymes. PMID:24748734

In insects, the precise timing of moulting and metamorphosis is strictly guided by ecdysteroids that are synthesised from dietary cholesterol in the prothoracic gland (PG). In the past decade, several ecdysteroidogenic enzymes, some of which are encoded by the Halloween genes, have been identified and characterised. Here, we report a novel Halloween gene, noppera-bo (nobo), that encodes a member of the glutathioneS-transferase family. nobo was identified as a gene that is predominantly expressed in the PG of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We generated a nobo knock-out mutant, which displayed embryonic lethality and a naked cuticle structure. These phenotypes are typical for Halloween mutants showing embryonic ecdysteroid deficiency. In addition, the PG-specific nobo knock-down larvae displayed an arrested phenotype and reduced 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) titres. Importantly, both embryonic and larval phenotypes were rescued by the administration of 20E or cholesterol. We also confirm that PG cells in nobo loss-of-function larvae abnormally accumulate cholesterol. Considering that cholesterol is the most upstream material for ecdysteroid biosynthesis in the PG, our results raise the possibility that nobo plays a crucial role in regulating the behaviour of cholesterol in steroid biosynthesis in insects. PMID:25300303

GlutathioneS-transferase P1 (GSTP1) is a ubiquitous expressed protein which plays an important role in the detoxification and xenobiotics metabolism. Previous studies showed that GSTP1 was upregulated by the LPS stimulation in RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells and GSTP1 overexpression downregulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Here we show that GSTP1 physically associates with the oxygenase domain of iNOS by the G-site domain and decreases the protein level of iNOS dimer. Both overexpression and RNA interference (RNAi) experiments indicate that GSTP1 downregulates iNOS protein level and increases S-nitrosylation and ubiquitination of iNOS. The Y7F mutant type of GSTP1 physically associates with iNOS, but shows no effect on iNOS protein content, iNOS S-nitrosylation, and changes in iNOS from dimer to monomer, suggesting the importance of enzyme activity of GSTP1 in regulating iNOS S-nitrosylation and stability. GSTM1, another member of GSTs shows no significant effect on regulation of iNOS. In conclusion, our study reveals the novel role of GSTP1 in regulation of iNOS by affecting S-nitrosylation, dimerization, and stability, which provides a new insight for analyzing the regulation of iNOS and the anti-inflammatory effects of GSTP1. PMID:26361746

Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) and metallothionein are important biomarker endpoints in studying the effect of Cd exposure. The purpose of this research was to study the correlation between hepatic GST and metallothionein with hepatic Cd in wild Fejervarya limnocharis exposed to environmental Cd. Results showed that frogs from contaminated sites had significantly higher hepatic metallothionein (3.58 mg/kg wet weight) and GST activity (0.259 μmol/min/mg total protein) than those from the reference site (2.36 mg/kg wet weight and 0.157 μmol/min/mg total protein respectively). There was a significantly positive correlation between hepatic Cd and GST activity (r = 0.802, p = 0.009) but not between hepatic Cd and metallothionein (r = 0.548, p = 0.139). The results concluded that while frogs from the contaminated site had higher GST and metallothionein, only GST showed significant positive correlation with hepatic Cd levels, indicating that hepatic GST activity may be used as a biomarker endpoint. PMID:22722596

GlutathioneS-transferases (GST; E.C.2.5.1.18) were phenotyped by starch gel electrophoresis in post-mortem liver samples from 683 unrelated subjects of both sexes. 305 were Chinese, 185 Indians, 147 Malays and 46 from other racial groups of South-East Asia. GST1 and GST2 were found to be polymorphic in these populations. Additional alleles (GST1*3 and GST2*O) were observed at low frequency in all the ethnic groups. The frequency of GST1*1 was lower and that of GST1*2 was higher in Indians and Malays as compared to Chinese. GST1*0 and GST1*3 frequencies were similar in all these ethnic groups. The gene frequencies of the alleles of the GST2 locus varied significantly in the population studied. GST2*0 frequency was significantly higher in Indians than in Chinese and Malays, while the lowest frequency of GST2*1 was found in the Indians. GST2*2 frequency was higher in the Malays than in Chinese and Indians. GST1 and GST2 phenotype distributions were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all the ethnic groups studied. Sex made no significant difference in the phenotype distribution. PMID:2487053

The antineoplastic drug busulfan is frequently used in preconditioning regimens for bone marrow transplantation. Pharmacokinetics vary tremendously between patients due to extensive metabolism in the liver via conjugation to glutathione catalysed by glutathioneS-transferase (GST) A1-1. Since elevated busulfan plasma levels have been reported to be a risk factor for developing veno-occlusive disease (VOD), metabolism of busulfan may play a pivotal role in the induction of VOD. Therefore, we developed a cell model to investigate the influence of busulfan metabolism on its biological effects. GSTA1-1 cDNA was transfected into the cell line ECV 304 and protein expression was demonstrated by Western blotting. Enzymatic activity could be detected by formation of tetrahydrothiophene. Additionally, effects of busulfan treatment on cell cycle and expression of tissue factor have been investigated. A busulfan-induced G2-arrest was reduced in GSTA1-1-transfected cells, which consequently displayed a significantly higher activity of cdc2 kinase (24.1±1.5 AU mg−1 protein) after busulfan treatment compared to controls (14.7±2.3 AU mg−1 protein; P<0.01). Elevated basal expression of tissue factor in GSTA1-1-transfected ECV 304 cells could be 4 fold increased by busulfan treatment. These data demonstrate that ECV 304 cells transfected with GSTA1-1 provide a valuable tool to assess busulfan metabolism in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of GSTA1-1 leads to a partial protection against cell cycle effects of busulfan and affects tissue factor expression. PMID:12429583

4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) specifically destroys small pre-antral follicles in the rodent ovary. VCD can be detoxified to an inactive tetrol by microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH), or by conjugation to glutathione (GSH) by glutathioneS-transferase (GST). Formation of VCD-GSH adducts in the mouse ovary 4 h after VCD exposure (0.57 mmol/kg/day) has been demonstrated. Because the mouse ovary expresses both mEH and GST, expression of mEH and GST pi and mu during a time-course of VCD-induced ovotoxicity was evaluated in a neonatal mouse ovarian culture system. Ovaries from postnatal day 4 (PND4) B6C3F{sub 1} mice were incubated with VCD (15 {mu}M) for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 15 days. Following incubation, ovaries were histologically evaluated, or assessed for mRNA or protein expression. VCD did not cause follicle loss (p > 0.05) on days 2, 4, or 6 of culture. At days 8, 10, 12, and 15, VCD reduced (p < 0.05) both primordial and primary follicle numbers. Increased (p < 0.05) expression of mEH, GST pi and GST mu mRNA was detected after 4 days of VCD exposure. This expression was reduced on days 6 and 8, when follicle loss was underway, but increased (p < 0.05) after 10 days of exposure. mEH and GST pi proteins were elevated (p < 0.05) following 8 days of VCD-exposure however there was no increase in GST mu protein. These findings suggest that with continuous exposure to VCD, increased expression of detoxification enzymes may participate in retarding the onset of follicle loss, but that this loss cannot ultimately be prevented.

Drosophila melanogaster glutathioneS-transferase D3 (DmGSTD3) has a shorter amino acid sequence as compared to other GSTs known in the fruit flies. This is due to the 15 amino acid N-terminal truncation in which normally active amino acid residue is located. The work has made use of homology modeling to visualize the arrangement of amino acid side chains in the glutathione (GSH) substrate cavity. The identified amino acids were then replaced with amino acids without functional groups in the side chains and the mutants were analyzed kinetically. Homology modeling revealed that the side chains of Y89 and Y97 were shown facing toward the substrate cavity proposing their possible role in catalyzing the conjugation. Y97A and Y89A GSH gave large changes in Km (twofold increase), Vmax (fivefold reduction), and Kcat /Km values for GSH suggesting their significant role in the conjugation reaction. The replacement at either positions has not affected the affinity of the enzyme toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as no significant change in values of Kmax was observed. The replacement, however, had significantly reduced the catalytic efficiency of both mutants with (Kcat /Km )(GSH) and (Kcat /Km )(CDNB) of eight- and twofold reduction. The recombinant DmGSTD3 has shown no activity toward 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, 2,4-hexadienal, 2,4-heptadienal, p-nitrobenzyl chloride, ethacrynic acid, and sulfobromophthalein. Therefore, it was evident that DmGSTD3 has made use of distal amino acids Y97 and Y89 for GSH conjugation. PMID:27075600

Insect glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) play important roles in detoxifying toxic compounds and eliminating oxidative stress caused by these compounds. In this study, detoxification activity of the epsilon GST SlGSTE1 in Spodoptera litura was analyzed for several insecticides and heavy metals. SlGSTE1 was significantly up-regulated by chlorpyrifos and xanthotoxin in the midgut of S. litura. The recombinant SlGSTE1 had Vmax (reaction rate of the enzyme saturated with the substrate) and Km (michaelis constant and equals to the substrate concentration at half of the maximum reaction rate of the enzyme) values of 27.95 ± 0.88 μmol/min/mg and 0.87 ± 0.028 mmol/L for glutathione, respectively, and Vmax and Km values of 22.96 ± 0.78 μmol/min/mg and 0.83 ± 0.106 mmol/L for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, respectively. In vitro enzyme indirect activity assay showed that the recombinant SlGSTE1 possessed high binding activities to the insecticides chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, malathion, phoxim and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT). SlGSTE1 showed higher binding activity to toxic heavy metals cadmium, chromium and lead than copper and zinc that are required for insect normal growth. Western blot analysis showed that SlGSTE1 was induced in the gut of larvae fed with chlorpyrifos or cadmium. SlGSTE1 also showed high peroxidase activity. All the results together indicate that SlGSTE1 may play an important role in the gut of S. litura to protect the insect from the toxic effects of these compounds and heavy metals. PMID:24863567

4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) specifically destroys small pre-antral follicles in the rodent ovary. VCD can be detoxified to an inactive tetrol by microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH), or by conjugation to glutathione (GSH) by glutathioneS-transferase (GST). Formation of VCD-GSH adducts in the mouse ovary 4 h after VCD exposure (0.57 mmol/kg/day) has been demonstrated. Because the mouse ovary expresses both mEH and GST, expression of mEH and GST pi and mu during a time-course of VCD-induced ovotoxicity was evaluated in a neonatal mouse ovarian culture system. Ovaries from postnatal day 4 (PND4) B6C3F(1) mice were incubated with VCD (15 microM) for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or 15 days. Following incubation, ovaries were histologically evaluated, or assessed for mRNA or protein expression. VCD did not cause follicle loss (p>0.05) on days 2, 4, or 6 of culture. At days 8, 10, 12, and 15, VCD reduced (p<0.05) both primordial and primary follicle numbers. Increased (p<0.05) expression of mEH, GST pi and GST mu mRNA was detected after 4 days of VCD exposure. This expression was reduced on days 6 and 8, when follicle loss was underway, but increased (p<0.05) after 10 days of exposure. mEH and GST pi proteins were elevated (p<0.05) following 8 days of VCD-exposure however there was no increase in GST mu protein. These findings suggest that with continuous exposure to VCD, increased expression of detoxification enzymes may participate in retarding the onset of follicle loss, but that this loss cannot ultimately be prevented. PMID:18407309

Resistance to cis- or carboplatin represents the principal cause of therapeutic failures in ovarian carcinoma. The phenomenon of resistance to platinum-based drugs is partly related to expression of metallothionein (MT) and of glutathioneS-transferase pi (GST-pi), but opinion on the subject is discordant. Documentation of a negative predictive effect of MT and GST-pi expression for the therapy employing platinum-based drugs would permit to select resistant cases in which other therapeutic approaches could be employed. The present study aimed at examining the relation between intensities of MT and GST-pi expressions in ovarian carcinomas and dynamics of the clinical course in the neoplastic disease in a group of cisplatin-treated patients. The analyses were performed on samples of ovarian carcinoma originating from 43 first-look laparotomies (FLLs) and, in 30 cases, from second-look laparotomies (SLL) from the same patients. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed on paraffin sections of studied tumors, using monoclonal antibodies to MT and GST-pi. The calculations showed that in cases with augmented expression of MT, mortality was higher. On the other hand, augmented expression of GST-pi predisposed to more frequent relapses, deaths and progression of the tumor. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that a significantly shorter survival time was linked to cases of higher expression of MT at FLL and of higher expression of GST-pi at FLL, whereas a shorter progression-free time was manifested by cases with higher expression of GST-pi at FLL. The performed investigations indicate that augmented expressions of MT at FLL and GST-pi at FLL in ovarian cancer represent an unfavourable predictive factor in cisplatin-treated patients. PMID:15968547

Background: Previous studies have revealed significant differences between populations for genotypic frequencies of glutathioneS-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and M1 (GSTM1) polymorphisms. In order to find the frequency of the null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in Iranian populations, the present study was carried out. Methods: The total study subjects consisted of 1340 unrelated healthy Muslims/Iranian. From these 297, 200, 123, 168, 152, 200, and 200 individuals from Tabriz (East Azerbaijan Province; belong to Azaris), Yasuj (Kohgiluyeh-va-Boyerahmad Province; belong to Lurs), Abarku (Yazd Province; belong to Persians), Zahedan (Sistan-va-Balouchestan Province; belong to Balouchis), Zahedan (Sistan-va-Balouchestan Province; belong to Sistanis), Kermanshah (Kermanshah Province; belong to Kurds), and Gorgan (Golestan Province; belong to Turkmen) respectively. The genotypes were detected by multiplex PCR. Results: The frequency of GSTM1 null genotype among Azaris, Lurs, Persians, Balouchis, Sistanis, Kurds, and Turkmen was 43.8, 50.0, 52.0, 50.0, 51.3, 56.0, and 53.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference between these populations for the genotypic distribution of the GSTM1 polymorphism (χ2=8.47, df=6, P=0.206). The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype among Azaris, Lurs, Persians, Balouchis, Sistanis, Kurds, and Turkmen was 18.2, 17.0, 29.3, 20.8, 17.8, 18.5, and 23.0%, respectively. There was very similarity between Azaris, Kurds and Lurs for the frequency of GSTT1 genotypes (χ2=0.17, df=2, P=0.916). Conclusion: By comparing the frequency of GSTT1 genotypes among Iranian populations, Caucasians and Asians, it is concluded that Azaris, Kurds and Lurs were similar to each other. Taken together, it is suggested that although Azaris are Turkish speaking belong to Caucasians. PMID:26811816

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between genetic polymorphisms of the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) gene family and the risk of the development of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Zoroastrian females in Yazd, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, GSTM1, T1, and P1 polymorphisms were genotyped in 51 randomly selected MS patients and 50 randomly selected healthy controls on February 2014 among Zoroastrian females whose ages ranged from 40 to 70 yr. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 17. Results: We observed a significant association of GSTP1-I/V (Isoleucine/Valine) allele and GSTP1-V/V (Valine / Valine) allele with MS (P = 0.047 and P = 0.044, respectively). The combined analysis of the two genotypes, the present genotype of GSTT1, I/V and V/V alleles of GSTP1 genotype demonstrated a decrease in the risk of acquiring MS (OR = 0.246, P = 0.031). The null genotype of GSTM1, I/V, and V/V alleles of the GSTP1 genotype showed a lower risk in double combinations (OR = 0.15, P = 0.028 and OR = 0.13, P = 0.013, respectively). The combinations of the GSTM1 null genotypes and GSTT1 present genotypes and the GSTP1 I/V and V/V alleles together were associated with decreased risk of having MS in triple combinations (OR = 0.071, P = 0.039 and OR = 0.065, P = 0.022, respectively). Conclusion: GSTP1-I/V and V/V alleles, alone or in association with GSTM1 null and GSTT1 present genotypes, are related with decreased susceptibility to the development of MS in Zoroastrian females. PMID:26284209

Background Several case–control studies investigating the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) M1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 (rs1695) and the risk of breast cancer have reported contradictory results. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to clarify this issue. Materials and methods An updated meta-analysis using PubMed and Web of Knowledge databases for the eligible case–control studies was performed. Random- or fixed-effects model was used. Results A total of 10,067 cancer cases and 12,276 controls in 41 independent case–control studies from 19 articles were included in this meta-analysis. Significant increase in risk of breast cancer for Asians was found in GSTM1-null genotype (P=0.012, odds ratio [OR] =1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.04–1.32) and GSTT1-null genotype (P=0.039, OR =1.19, 95% CI =1.01–1.41). In addition, our results showed that the GSTP1 (rs1695) polymorphisms can significantly increase the risk among Caucasians (P=0.042, OR =1.16, 95% CI =1.01–1.34). Sensitivity analysis and publication bias further confirmed the dependability of the results in this meta-analysis. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that both GSTM1- and GSTT1-null polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in Asians and that GSTP1 Val105Ile (rs1695) polymorphism is associated with an increased breast cancer risk in Caucasians.

The increased production of ethylene during carnation petal senescence regulates the transcription of the GST1 gene encoding a subunit of glutathione-S-transferase. We have investigated the molecular basis for this ethylene-responsive transcription by examining the cis elements and trans-acting factors involved in the expression of the GST1 gene. Transient expression assays following delivery of GST1 5' flanking DNA fused to a beta-glucuronidase receptor gene were used to functionally define sequences responsible for ethylene-responsive expression. Deletion analysis of the 5' flanking sequences of GST1 identified a single positive regulatory element of 197 bp between -667 and -470 necessary for ethylene-responsive expression. The sequences within this ethylene-responsive region were further localized to 126 bp between -596 and -470. The ethylene-responsive element (ERE) within this region conferred ethylene-regulated expression upon a minimal cauliflower mosaic virus-35S TATA-box promoter in an orientation-independent manner. Gel electrophoresis mobility-shift assays and DNase I footprinting were used to identify proteins that bind to sequences within the ERE. Nuclear proteins from carnation petals were shown to specifically interact with the 126-bp ERE and the presence and binding of these proteins were independent of ethylene or petal senescence. DNase I footprinting defined DNA sequences between -510 and -488 within the ERE specifically protected by bound protein. An 8-bp sequence (ATTTCAAA) within the protected region shares significant homology with promoter sequences required for ethylene responsiveness from the tomato fruit-ripening E4 gene. PMID:8090746

Reactive oxygen or nitrogen species are generated in the plant cell during the extreme stress condition, which produces toxic compounds after reacting with the organic molecules. The glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes play a significant role to detoxify these toxins and help in excretion or sequestration of them. In the present study, we have cloned 1023 bp long promoter region of tau class GST from an extreme halophyte Salicornia brachiata and functionally characterized using the transgenic approach in tobacco. Computational analysis revealed the presence of abiotic stress responsive cis-elements like ABRE, MYB, MYC, GATA, GT1 etc., phytohormones, pathogen and wound responsive motifs. Three 5’-deletion constructs of 730 (GP2), 509 (GP3) and 348 bp (GP4) were made from 1023 (GP1) promoter fragment and used for tobacco transformation. The single event transgenic plants showed notable GUS reporter protein expression in the leaf tissues of control as well as treated plants. The expression level of the GUS gradually decreases from GP1 to GP4 in leaf tissues, whereas the highest level of expression was detected with the GP2 construct in root and stem under control condition. The GUS expression was found higher in leaves and stems of salinity or osmotic stress treated transgenic plants than that of the control plants, but, lower in roots. An efficient expression level of GUS in transgenic plants suggests that this promoter can be used for both constitutive as well as stress inducible expression of gene(s). And this property, make it as a potential candidate to be used as an alternative promoter for crop genetic engineering. PMID:26885663

Polyphagous aphid pests cause considerable economic damage to crop plants, primarily through the depletion of photoassimilates and transfer of viruses. The potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) is a notable pest of solanaceous crops, however, the molecular mechanisms that underpin the ability to colonize these hosts are unknown. It has recently been demonstrated that like other aphid species, M. euphorbiae injects a battery of salivary proteins into host plants during feeding. It is speculated that these proteins function in a manner analagous to secreted effectors from phytopathogenic bacteria, fungi and oomycetes. Here, we describe a novel aphid effector (Me47) which was identified from the potato aphid salivary secretome as a putative glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Expression of Me47 in Nicotiana benthamiana enhanced reproductive performance of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). Similarly, delivery of Me47 into leaves of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by Pseudomonas spp. enhanced potato aphid fecundity. In contrast, delivery of Me47 into Arabidopsis thaliana reduced GPA reproductive performance, indicating that Me47 impacts the outcome of plant-aphid interactions differently depending on the host species. Delivery of Me47 by the non-pathogenic Pseudomonas fluorescens revealed that Me47 protein or activity triggers defense gene transcriptional upregulation in tomato but not Arabidopsis. Recombinant Me47 was purified and demonstrated to have GST activity against two specific isothiocyanates (ITCs), compounds implicated in herbivore defense. Whilst GSTs have previously been associated with development of aphid resistance to synthetic insecticides, the findings described here highlight a novel function as both an elicitor and suppressor of plant defense when delivered into host tissues. PMID:27536306

The correlation of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) M1/T1 genetic polymorphisms with oxidative stress-related chronic diseases was proved recently. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of GSTM1/T1 genetic polymorphisms with antioxidant biomarkers and consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) in healthy subjects. In this study, for conducting a 3 d dietary survey, 190 healthy adults were recruited. After DNA extraction, a multiple PCR method was used for GSTM1/T1 genotyping. A spectrophotometer method was applied for the determination of plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), vitamin C level and erythrocyte GST enzyme activity. A general linear model was used to compare the mean values of antioxidant parameters for different GSTM1/T1 genotypes and consumption of F&V. Polymorphisms of GSTM1/T1 had no effects on plasma T-AOC and vitamin C levels. Deletion of the GSTM1 gene decreased the erythrocyte GST activity. There was correlation between plasma T-AOC and consumption of F&V in the GSTM1⁻ or GSTT1⁺ subjects. A similar pattern was evident for erythrocyte GST activity in the GSTM1⁻ subjects. No association was found among consumption of F&V and GSTM1/T1 genotypes and plasma vitamin C level. Different consumption of F&V had no impact on plasma T-AOC and vitamin C levels in the GSTM1⁻/GSTT1⁺ or GSTM1⁻/GSTT1⁻ subjects. The erythrocyte GST activity was more sensitive to consumption of F&V in the individuals with the GSTM1⁻/GSTT1⁺ genotype. Association was found among GSTM1/T1 genotypes, antioxidant parameters and consumption of F&V. Large-scale and multiple ethnic studies are needed to further evaluate the relationship. PMID:21896242

The anticarcinogenic effect of dietary organosulfur compounds has been partly attributed to their modulation of the activity and expression of phase II detoxification enzymes. Our previous studies indicated that garlic allyl sulfides upregulate the expression of the pi class of glutathioneS-transferase (GSTP) through the activator protein-1 pathway. Here, we examined the modulatory effect of sulforaphane (SFN) and alpha-lipoic acid (LA) or dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) on GSTP expression in rat Clone 9 liver cells. Cells were treated with LA or DHLA (50-600 micromol/L) or SFN (0.2-5 micromol/L) for 24 h. Immunoblots and real-time PCR showed that SFN, LA, and DHLA dose dependently induced GSTP protein and mRNA expression. Compared with the induction by the garlic organosulfur compound diallyl trisulfide (DATS), the effectiveness was in the order of SFN > DATS > LA = DHLA. The increase in GSTP enzyme activity in cells treated with 5 micromol/L SFN, 50 micromol/L DATS, and 600 micromol/L LA and DHLA was 172, 75, 122, and 117%, respectively (P < 0.05). A reporter assay showed that the GSTP enhancer I (GPEI) was required for GSTP induction by the organosulfur compounds. Electromobility gel shift assays showed that the DNA binding of GPEI to nuclear proteins reached a maximum at 0.5-1 h after SFN, LA, and DHLA treatment. Super-shift assay revealed that the transcription factors c-jun and nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) were bound to GPEI. These results suggest that SFN and LA in either its oxidized or reduced form upregulate the transcription of the GSTP gene by activating c-jun and Nrf2 binding to the enhancer element GPEI. PMID:20237067

In mammals, glutathioneS-transferase (GST) in the olfactory epithelium is involved in assistance of the olfactory reception by the xenobiotic metabolism. We previously reported the protein and gene expressions of salmon olfactory GST class pi (soGST) in the olfactory receptor cells (ORCs) of the salmonid fish. However, the chronological appearances of soGST in ORCs during ontogeny and cell proliferation are still unknown in this species. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry of soGST using an antibody specific to soGST in the olfactory system (olfactory placode, olfactory pit, olfactory epithelium, olfactory nerve and olfactory bulb) of lacustrine sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka) embryos and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) experimental fish. The projection of olfactory nerve bundles from the olfactory pit to the presumptive olfactory bulb was identified at embryonic day 28 after fertilization. The olfactory cilia were first detected on the apical surface of ORCs at day 43. soGST-immunoreactivity was first detected within the olfactory pit cells at day 55. At 58 day, the number of soGST-immunoreactive cells increased markedly in the olfactory epithelia, and soGST-immunoreactive fibers were observed in the olfactory nerves and olfactory bulbs. By in vivo uptake of BrdU in 1-year-old fish, we observed for the first time at day 7 after labeling that the olfactory epithelia showed ORCs in which both soGST-immunoreactivity and BrdU coexisted. These results indicate that soGST is synthesized in the mature ORCs of lacustrine sockeye salmon after cell formation and differentiation. PMID:15156400

Recently, valuable characteristics of menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) have impelled scientists to take its advantages for cell therapy of different diseases including liver disorders. In this study, we examined messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of phases I and II drug metabolizing enzymes including glutathioneS-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P-450 (CYP) in differentiated hepatocyte-like cells from MenSCs. The isolated MenSCs were characterized and differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells using hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM) in combination with other components in serum-free culture media. After primary characterization of hepatocyte markers, mRNA expression of GSTA1, GSTA2, GSTP1, CYP3A4, and CYP7A1 was assessed in differentiated cells in reference to undifferentiated cells using real-time PCR. Based on immunofluorescent staining and real-time PCR data, the differentiated MenSCs could express functional hepatocyte markers at mRNA and/or protein levels suggesting development of hepatocyte-like cells from MenSCs. Moreover, the expression levels of GSTA1, GSTA2, and CYP3A4 mRNA were upregulated in differentiated cells compared to undifferentiated cells. The expression of CYP7A1 gene was also remarkable on the last day of differentiation process. However, the expression level of GSTP1 did not exhibit statistically significant change during differentiation (P = 0.6). Based on accumulative data, MenSCs could be viewed as an accessible population of stem cells with differentiation ability into drug-metabolizing hepatocyte-like cells. PMID:25614436

Garlic organosulfur compounds are recognized as potential chemopreventive compounds. This protection is related to the induction of phase II detoxification enzymes. We previously reported that diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) up-regulate the gene expression of the pi class of glutathioneS-transferase (GSTP) and that an enhancer element named GPE I is required for this induction. In the present study, we further investigated the signal pathway involved in DADS and DATS up-regulation of this detoxification enzyme in Clone 9 cells. Cells were cultured with 25-200 micromol/L of DADS or DATS for 24 h. Western and Northern blots showed that both garlic allyl sulfides concentration dependently induced GSTP protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Changes in GST activity toward ethacrynic acid were consistent with the increase in GSTP expression (P < 0.05). Electromobility gel shift assay showed that the DNA binding activity of nuclear activator protein-1 (AP-1) is concentration-dependently increased in the presence of DADS and DATS as compared with that of the control cells. The phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but not of p38, was stimulated in the presence of both garlic allyl sulfides. Pretreatment with SP600125 and PD98059, which are JNK and ERK inhibitors, respectively, abolished the increase in AP-1-DNA binding activity and also the induction of GSTP protein by either allyl sulfide. Our results indicate that the effectiveness of DADS and DATS on GSTP expression is likely related to the JNK-AP-1 and ERK-AP-1 signaling pathways and, thus, that DADS and DATS enhance the binding of AP-1 to GPE I. PMID:17263507

This study aims to explore the aphicidal activity and underlying mechanism of Illicium verum Hook. f. that is used as both food and medicine. The contact toxicity of the extracts from I. verum fruit with methyl alcohol (MA), ethyl acetate (EA), and petroleum ether (PE) against Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) of M. persicae after contact treatment were tested. The results showed that MA, EA, and PE extracts of 1.000 mg/l caused, respectively, M. persicae mortalities of 68.93%, 89.95% and 74.46%, and the LC50 of MA, EA, and PE extracts were 0.31, 0.14 and 0.27 mg/l at 72 h after treatment, respectively; the activities of AChE and GSTs in M. persicae were obviously inhibited by the three extracts, as compared with the control, with strong dose and time-dependent effects, the inhibition rates on the whole reached more than 50.00% at the concentration of 1.000 mg/l at 72 h after treatment. The inhibition of the extracts on AChE and GSTs activities (EA extract > PE extract > MA extract) were correlated with theirs contact toxic effects, so it is inferred that the decline of the metabolic enzymes activities may be one of important reasons of M. persicae death. The study results suggested that I. verum extracts have potential as a eco-friendly biopesticide in integrated pest management against M. persicae. PMID:26826651

Polyphagous aphid pests cause considerable economic damage to crop plants, primarily through the depletion of photoassimilates and transfer of viruses. The potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) is a notable pest of solanaceous crops, however, the molecular mechanisms that underpin the ability to colonize these hosts are unknown. It has recently been demonstrated that like other aphid species, M. euphorbiae injects a battery of salivary proteins into host plants during feeding. It is speculated that these proteins function in a manner analagous to secreted effectors from phytopathogenic bacteria, fungi and oomycetes. Here, we describe a novel aphid effector (Me47) which was identified from the potato aphid salivary secretome as a putative glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Expression of Me47 in Nicotiana benthamiana enhanced reproductive performance of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). Similarly, delivery of Me47 into leaves of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by Pseudomonas spp. enhanced potato aphid fecundity. In contrast, delivery of Me47 into Arabidopsis thaliana reduced GPA reproductive performance, indicating that Me47 impacts the outcome of plant–aphid interactions differently depending on the host species. Delivery of Me47 by the non-pathogenic Pseudomonas fluorescens revealed that Me47 protein or activity triggers defense gene transcriptional upregulation in tomato but not Arabidopsis. Recombinant Me47 was purified and demonstrated to have GST activity against two specific isothiocyanates (ITCs), compounds implicated in herbivore defense. Whilst GSTs have previously been associated with development of aphid resistance to synthetic insecticides, the findings described here highlight a novel function as both an elicitor and suppressor of plant defense when delivered into host tissues. PMID:27536306

Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are upregulated in malignant gliomas and contribute to their chemoresistance. The nitric oxide (NO) donor PABA/NO (O(2) -{2,4-dinitro-5-[4-(N-methylamino)benzoyloxy]phenyl} 1-(N,N-dimethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate) generates NO upon selective enzymatic activation by GST-π-inducing selective biological effects in tumors. Tumor cell killing and chemosensitization were observed in a variety of tumors after exposure to GST-activated NO donor drugs. In our project, cytotoxic and chemosensitizing effects of PABA/NO in combination with carboplatin (CPT) and temozolomide (TMZ) were studied in human U87 glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. U87 glioma cells were exposed to PABA/NO alone or in combination with CPT or TMZ for 24 hr. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after 24-hr incubation and 48 hr after drug removal. The antiproliferative effect of PABA/NO was assessed in an intracranial U87 glioma nude rat model comparing subcutaneous administration and intratumoral delivery by convection-enhanced delivery. PABA/NO monotherapy showed a strong dose-dependent growth-inhibitory effect in U87 glioma cells in vitro, and a strong synergistic effect was observed after concomitant treatment with TMZ, but not with CPT. Systemic and intratumoral PABA/NO administration significantly reduced cell proliferation, but this did not result in prolonged survival in nude rats with intracranial U87 gliomas. PABA/NO has potent antiproliferative effects, sensitizes U87 glioma cells to TMZ in vitro and shows some in vivo efficacy. Further studies are still required to consolidate the role of NO donor therapy in glioma treatment. PMID:21455987

This study aims to explore the aphicidal activity and underlying mechanism of Illicium verum Hook. f. that is used as both food and medicine. The contact toxicity of the extracts from I. verum fruit with methyl alcohol (MA), ethyl acetate (EA), and petroleum ether (PE) against Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) of M. persicae after contact treatment were tested. The results showed that MA, EA, and PE extracts of 1.000 mg/l caused, respectively, M. persicae mortalities of 68.93%, 89.95% and 74.46%, and the LC50 of MA, EA, and PE extracts were 0.31, 0.14 and 0.27 mg/l at 72 h after treatment, respectively; the activities of AChE and GSTs in M. persicae were obviously inhibited by the three extracts, as compared with the control, with strong dose and time-dependent effects, the inhibition rates on the whole reached more than 50.00% at the concentration of 1.000 mg/l at 72 h after treatment. The inhibition of the extracts on AChE and GSTs activities (EA extract > PE extract > MA extract) were correlated with theirs contact toxic effects, so it is inferred that the decline of the metabolic enzymes activities may be one of important reasons of M. persicae death. The study results suggested that I. verum extracts have potential as a eco-friendly biopesticide in integrated pest management against M. persicae. PMID:26826651

Oxidative stress is known to be implicated in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes are key components of cellular defense against oxidative stress. The present study aimed to clarify the association between polymorphisms in GST and risk of essential hypertension using a meta-analysis of published studies. PubMed-Medline, Ovid-EMBASE, HuGE Navigator and SCOPUS databases were searched to identify case-control studies that examined the association of GST polymorphisms and hypertension. Data were extracted using standardized methods. Combined odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of polymorphisms with hypertension were calculated using a fixed effect approach and under dominant, recessive, additive and overdominant models of inheritance. A total of 12 studies comprising 2,040 cases and 2,462 controls fulfilled the inclusion criteria. GSTM1 (presence/null), GSTT1 (presence/null) and GSTP1 (Ile105Val; rs1695) polymorphisms were evaluated. Meta-analysis revealed significant associations between the null genotypes of GSTM1 (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.08-1.39; p=0.002) and GSTT1 (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13-1.50; p=0.0003) and risk of hypertension. The observed associations were robust in sensitivity analyses. However, no significant association was found for the rs1695 polymorphism under all assessed modes of inheritance. Findings of the present meta-analysis demonstrated that GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes may serve as predisposing factors for essential hypertension. Further studies are warranted to validate this association, and also to explore if these null genotypes are in linkage with other hypertension susceptibility polymorphisms. PMID:24788870

A discovery that rapid enzymic isomerization of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cRA) to all-trans-retinoic acid (t-RA) can be catalysed by purified hepatic glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs; EC 2.5.1.18) from rat is now reported. Rates of cis-trans isomerization were determined quantitatively by HPLC. GST-catalysed reactions reached equilibrium rapidly, in marked contrast with uncatalysed or GSH-catalysed isomerizations. The GST-catalysed reaction exhibited substrate saturation kinetics with a Km of approx. 8 microM. The maximal velocity of the reaction and the catalytic efficiency of GSTs were determined. The initial rate of the reaction increased linearly as a function of enzyme concentration. Catalysis by GSTs was independent of the presence of GSH, indicating that GSTs act as GSH-independent isomerases as well as transferases. Incubation with guanidine (7-8 M) or heat-inactivation of GSTs (100 degrees C for 3 min) decreased isomerase activities by approx. 50% and 75% respectively. The same heat treatment did not significantly inhibit isomerization catalysed by GSH and apoferritin, indicating that the observed decrease in isomerase activity by heat inactivation was not primarily due to oxidation of protein thiol groups in the GSTs. The specific activity of GSTs was approx. 23- and 340-fold those of GSH and apoferritin respectively when comparisons were made on the basis of free thiol concentrations, indicating that free thiol in GSTs cannot account for the majority of observed isomerase activities and suggesting that specific conformations of GSTs are important for such activities. Complete inhibition of the reaction by low concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide (10 microM) demonstrated that intact protein thiols are required for the isomerase activities of GSTs. PMID:9581548

Dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) found in cruciferous vegetables (Brassica spp.) has been reported to reduce cancer risk by inducing phase II conjugating enzymes, in particular glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs). This case-control study was aimed at determining associations between dietary ITCs, GSTs polymorphisms and risk habits (cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and betel-quid chewing) with oral cancer in 115 cases and 116 controls. Information on dietary ITC intake from cruciferous vegetables was collected via a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained for genotyping of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 using PCR multiplex and PCR-RFLP. Chi-square and logistic regression were performed to determine the association of ITC and GSTs polymorphism and risk of oral cancer. When dietary ITC was categorized into high (greater than/equal to median) and low (less than median) intake, there was no significant difference between cases and control group. Logistic regression yielding odd ratios resulted in no significant association between dietary ITC intake, GSTM1, GSTT1 or GSTP1 genotypes with oral cancer risk overall. However, GSTP1 wild-type genotype was associated with later disease onset in women above 55 years of age (p= 0.017). Among the men above 45 years of age, there was clinical significant difference of 17 years in the age of onset of oral cancer between GSTP1 wild-type + low ITC intake and GSTP1 polymorphism + high ITC intake (p= 0.001). Similar conditions were also seen among men above 45 years of age with risk habits like drinking and chewing as the earlier disease onset associated with GSTP1 polymorphism and high ITC intake (p< 0.001). This study suggests that combination effects between dietary ITCs, GSTP1 polymorphism and risk habits may be associated with the risk of oral cancer and modulate the age of disease onset. PMID:21875259

Carnosic acid (CA), a diterpene found in the rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), has been reported to have a neuroprotective effect. GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) P (GSTP) is a phase II detoxifying enzyme that provides a neuroprotective effect. The aim of this study was to explore whether the neuroprotective effect of CA is via an upregulation of GSTP expression and the possible signaling pathways involved. SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with 1 μM CA followed by treatment with 100 μM 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Both immunoblotting and enzyme activity results show that CA also induced protein expression and enzyme activity of GSTP. Moreover, CA significantly increased the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, the nuclear translocation of p65, but not mitogen-activated protein kinases (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with LY294002 (a PI3K/Akt inhibitor) suppressed the CA-induced phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK) and IκBα, p65 nuclear translocation, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-DNA binding activity as well as GSTP protein expression. Furthermore, CA attenuated 6-OHDA-induced caspase 3 activation, and cell death was reversed by GSTP siRNA or LY294002 treatment. Additionally, male Wistar rats with lesions induced by 6-OHDA treatment in the right striatum responded to treatment with CA, which significantly reversed the reduction in GSTP protein expression that resulted from lesioning. We suggest that CA prevents 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis through an increase in GSTP expression via activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway. Therefore, CA may be a promising candidate for use in the prevention of Parkinson's disease. PMID:25271104

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental contaminant showing a variety of deleterious effects, including the potential threat for the ecological environment and human health via food chains. Low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) has been demonstrated to be an effective antioxidant. Metallothionein (MT) mRNA levels and activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, and Ca(2+)-ATPase as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the gills of the freshwater crab Sinopotamon yangtsekiense were analyzed in vivo in order to determine the injury of Cd exposure on the gill tissues as well as the protective effect of LMWC against this injury. The results showed that there was an apparent accumulation of Cd in the gills, which was lessened by the presence of LMWC. Moreover, Cd(2+) significantly increased the gill MT mRNA levels, ACP activity and MDA content while decreasing the activities of SOD, GST, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, and Ca(2+)-ATPase in the crabs relative to the control. Cotreatment with LMWC reduced the levels of MT mRNA and ACP but raised the activities of GST, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, and Ca(2+)-ATPase in gill tissues compared with the crabs exposed to Cd(2+) alone. These results suggest that LMWC may exert its protective effect through chelating Cd(2+) to form LMWC-Cd(2+) complex, elevating the antioxidative activities of GST, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, and Ca(2+)-ATPase as well as alleviating the stress pressure on MT and ACP, consequently protecting the cell from the adverse effects of Cd. PMID:22331632

Research from the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) demonstrated that, for the same quantity of cigarette smoking, African Americans and Native Hawaiians have a higher lung cancer risk than Whites, while Latinos and Japanese Americans are less susceptible. We collected urine samples from 2,239 cigarette smokers from five different ethnic groups in the MEC and analyzed each sample for S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), a specific biomarker of benzene uptake. African Americans had significantly higher (geometric mean [SE] 3.69 [0.2], p<0.005) SPMA/ml urine than Whites (2.67 [0.13]) while Japanese Americans had significantly lower levels than Whites (1.65 [0.07], p<0.005). SPMA levels in Native Hawaiians and Latinos were not significantly different from those of Whites. We also conducted a genome-wide association study in search of genetic risk factors related to benzene exposure. The glutathioneS-transferase T1 (GSTT1) deletion explained between 14.2–31.6% (p = 5.4x10-157) and the GSTM1 deletion explained between 0.2%-2.4% of the variance (p = 1.1x10-9) of SPMA levels in these populations. Ethnic differences in levels of SPMA remained strong even after controlling for the effects of these two deletions. These results demonstrate the powerful effect of GSTT1 status on SPMA levels in urine and show that uptake of benzene in African American, White, and Japanese American cigarette smokers is consistent with their lung cancer risk in the MEC. While benzene is not generally considered a cause of lung cancer, its metabolite SPMA could be a biomarker for other volatile lung carcinogens in cigarette smoke. PMID:26959369

DNA and chromosome damages in peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated in 151 workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde (FA) and 112 non-FA exposed controls. The effects of polymorphisms in three glutathione-S-transferase (GSTs) genes on the DNA and chromosome damages were assessed as well. Alkaline comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay were used to determine DNA and chromosome damages, respectively. The genotypes of GSTP1 (Ile105Val), GSTT1, and GSTM1 were assayed. The mean 8-h time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of FA in two plywood factories were 0.83ppm (range: 0.08-6.30ppm). FA-exposed workers had higher olive tail moment (TM) and CBMN frequency compared with controls (Olive TM, 3.54, 95%CI=3.19-3.93 vs. 0.93, 95%CI=0.78-1.10, P<0.01; CBMN frequency, 5.51+/-3.37 vs. 2.67+/-1.32, P<0.01). Olive TM and the CBMN frequency also had a dose-dependent relation with the personal FA exposure. Significant association between FA exposure history and olive TM and CBMN frequency were also identified. The level of olive TM was slightly higher in FA-exposed workers with GSTM1 null genotype than those with non-null genotype (3.86, 95%CI=3.31-4.50 vs. 3.27, 95%CI=2.83-3.78, P=0.07) with adjustment of covariates. We also found that FA-exposed workers carrying GSTP1 Val allele had a slightly higher CBMN frequency compared with workers carrying only the wild-type allele (6.32+/-3.78 vs. 5.01+/-2.98, P=0.05). Our results suggest that the FA exposure in this occupational population increased DNA and chromosome damages and polymorphisms in GSTs genes may modulate the genotoxic effects of FA exposure. PMID:19818869

Reactive oxygen or nitrogen species are generated in the plant cell during the extreme stress condition, which produces toxic compounds after reacting with the organic molecules. The glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes play a significant role to detoxify these toxins and help in excretion or sequestration of them. In the present study, we have cloned 1023 bp long promoter region of tau class GST from an extreme halophyte Salicornia brachiata and functionally characterized using the transgenic approach in tobacco. Computational analysis revealed the presence of abiotic stress responsive cis-elements like ABRE, MYB, MYC, GATA, GT1 etc., phytohormones, pathogen and wound responsive motifs. Three 5'-deletion constructs of 730 (GP2), 509 (GP3) and 348 bp (GP4) were made from 1023 (GP1) promoter fragment and used for tobacco transformation. The single event transgenic plants showed notable GUS reporter protein expression in the leaf tissues of control as well as treated plants. The expression level of the GUS gradually decreases from GP1 to GP4 in leaf tissues, whereas the highest level of expression was detected with the GP2 construct in root and stem under control condition. The GUS expression was found higher in leaves and stems of salinity or osmotic stress treated transgenic plants than that of the control plants, but, lower in roots. An efficient expression level of GUS in transgenic plants suggests that this promoter can be used for both constitutive as well as stress inducible expression of gene(s). And this property, make it as a potential candidate to be used as an alternative promoter for crop genetic engineering. PMID:26885663

Research from the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) demonstrated that, for the same quantity of cigarette smoking, African Americans and Native Hawaiians have a higher lung cancer risk than Whites, while Latinos and Japanese Americans are less susceptible. We collected urine samples from 2,239 cigarette smokers from five different ethnic groups in the MEC and analyzed each sample for S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), a specific biomarker of benzene uptake. African Americans had significantly higher (geometric mean [SE] 3.69 [0.2], p<0.005) SPMA/ml urine than Whites (2.67 [0.13]) while Japanese Americans had significantly lower levels than Whites (1.65 [0.07], p<0.005). SPMA levels in Native Hawaiians and Latinos were not significantly different from those of Whites. We also conducted a genome-wide association study in search of genetic risk factors related to benzene exposure. The glutathioneS-transferase T1 (GSTT1) deletion explained between 14.2-31.6% (p = 5.4x10-157) and the GSTM1 deletion explained between 0.2%-2.4% of the variance (p = 1.1x10-9) of SPMA levels in these populations. Ethnic differences in levels of SPMA remained strong even after controlling for the effects of these two deletions. These results demonstrate the powerful effect of GSTT1 status on SPMA levels in urine and show that uptake of benzene in African American, White, and Japanese American cigarette smokers is consistent with their lung cancer risk in the MEC. While benzene is not generally considered a cause of lung cancer, its metabolite SPMA could be a biomarker for other volatile lung carcinogens in cigarette smoke. PMID:26959369

Purpose: To explore whether certain glutathioneS-transferase (GST) polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer or the level of radiation-induced adverse effects after two fractionation patterns of adjuvant radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: The prevalence of germline polymorphic variants in GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1 was determined in 272 breast cancer patients and compared with that in a control group of 270 women from the general population with no known history of breast cancer. The genetic variants were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme fragment analysis. In 253 of the patients surveyed for radiotherapy-induced side effects after a median observation time of 13.7 years (range, 7-22.8 years), the genotypes were related to the long-term effects observed after two fractionation patterns (treatment A, 4.3 Gy in 10 fractions for 156 patients; and treatment B, 2.5 Gy in 20 fractions for 97; both administered within a 5-week period). Results: None of the GST polymorphisms conferred an increased risk of breast cancer, either alone or in combination. Compared with treatment B, treatment A was followed by an increased level of moderate to severe radiation-induced side effects for all the endpoints studied (i.e., degree of telangiectasia, subcutaneous fibrosis and atrophy, lung fibrosis, costal fractures, and pleural thickening; p <0.001 for all endpoints). A significant association was found between the level of pleural thickening and the GSTP1 Ile105Val variant. Conclusion: The results of this study have illustrated the impact of hypofractionation on the level of adverse effects and indicated that the specific alleles of GSTP1, M1, and T1 studied here may be significant in determining the level of adverse effects after radiotherapy.

Objective GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) and heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) genes encode enzymes that detoxify carcinogens and protect against oxidative stress. We studied gene-smoking interactions on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility. Methods 549 matched Caucasian RA cases and controls were selected from the Nurses' Health Study. Genotyping by TaqMan and BioTrove identified GSTM1, GSTT1 homozygous deletions (null) and GSTP1 (rs1695), HMOX1 (rs2071746) alleles, respectively. We studied gene-smoking interactions on the risk of all RA and serologic RA phenotypes in separate logistic models adjusted for covariates. We assessed multiplicative interactions with product terms in the logistic models and additive interactions with the attributable proportion due to interaction (AP). For replication, we repeated significant analyses in an independent case-control sample from the Epidemiologic Investigation of RA. Results For all RA risk, we observed: multiplicative (p=0.05) and additive (AP=0.53, p=0.0005) interactions between GSTT1-null and smoking and multiplicative interaction (p=0.05) between HMOX1 and smoking. For seropositive RA risk, we found multiplicative (p=0.01) and additive (AP=0.63, p<0.0001) interactions between GSTT1-null and smoking and additive interaction (AP=0.41, p=0.03) between HMOX1 and smoking. After correction for multiple comparisons, additive interactions for GSTT1-null and smoking remained significant. GSTM1-null and GSTP1 did not show significant interactions. No associations were seen with seronegative RA. In replication analyses, we observed significant multiplicative (p=0.04) and additive (AP=0.32, p=0.02) interactions between GSTT1-null and smoking for ACPA-positive RA risk. Conclusion We observed significant gene-environment interactions between GSTT1-null and heavy smoking on RA risk. Future studies are needed to assess the impact of these interactions on RA prediction. PMID:20597111

To investigate associations among occupational exposure to coke oven emissions (COEs), oxidative stress, cytogenotoxic effects, change in the metabolizing enzyme glutathioneS-transferase (GST), and internal levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coke oven workers, we recruited 47 male coke oven workers and 31 male control subjects from a coke oven plant in northern China. We measured the levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine, micronucleated binucleated cells (BNMNs) in peripheral blood lymphocyte, and GST in serum. Our results showed that the group exposed to COEs had significantly increased levels of 1-OHP [median 5.7; interquartile range (IQR), 1.4–12.0 μmol/mol creatinine] compared with the control group (3; 0.5–6.4 μmol/mol creatinine). In addition, the median levels (IQR) of 8-OHdG, BNMNs, and GST were markedly increased in the exposed [1.9 (1.4–15.4) μmol/mol creatinine; 6 (2–8) per thousand; 22.1 (14.9–31.2) U/L, respectively] compared with controls [1.3 (1.0–4.0) μmol/mol creatinine, 2 (0–4) per thousand; and 13.1 (9.5–16.7) U/L, respectively]. These results appeared to be modified by smoking. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that exposure to COEs had the highest odds ratio among variables analyzed and that smoking was not a significant confounder of the levels of studied biomarkers. Overall, the present findings suggest that COE exposure led to increased internal PAH burden, genetic damage, oxidative stress, and GST activity. The consequences of the changes in these biomarkers, such as risk of cancer, warrant further investigations. PMID:16675419

Diclofenac is a widely prescribed NSAID that causes severe idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury (IDILI) in a small part of the patient population. Formation of protein-reactive metabolites is considered to play a role in the development of diclofenac-induced IDILI. Therefore, a high hepatic activity of enzymes involved in bioactivation of diclofenac is expected to increase the risk for liver injury. However, the extent of covalent protein binding may also be determined by activity of protective enzymes, such as glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs). This is supported by an association study in which a correlation was found between NSAID-induced IDILI and the combined null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1. In the present study, the activity of 10 different recombinant human GSTs in inactivation of protein-reactive quinoneimine (QI) metabolites of diclofenac was tested. Both at low and high GSH concentrations, high activities of GSTA1-1, A2-2, A3-3, M1-1, M3-3 and P1-1 in the inactivation of these QIs were found. By using the expression levels of GSTs in livers of 22 donors, a 6-fold variation in GST-dependent inactivation of reactive diclofenac metabolites was predicted. Moreover, it was shown in vitro that GSTs can strongly increase the efficiency of GSH to protect against the alkylation of the model thiol N-acetylcysteine by reactive diclofenac metabolites. The results of this study demonstrate that variability of GST expression may significantly contribute to the inter-individual differences in susceptibility to diclofenac-induced liver injury. In addition, expression levels of GSTs in in vitro models for hepatotoxicity may be important factors determining sensitivity to diclofenac cytotoxicity. PMID:27183920

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly heritable disorder and common in school-age children characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Although its heritability was estimated at 80-90% from family, adoption and twin studies, the molecular etiology of this disorder has not elucidated. Meanwhile, an impaired balance of oxidant-antioxidant status and increased oxidative stress is observed in ADHD, and it may imply a possible relationship between oxidative stress and etiology of ADHD. GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) is antioxidant enzymes that play a key role in the cellular detoxification. In the present study, we examined the association between the genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1, and ADHD in Korean children. Case-control study was conducted with 243 ADHD children and 327 controls. There were no significant associations between the polymorphisms and the incidence of ADHD (p>0.05). However, significant associations were observed in the stratified analyses. The frequency of GSTP1 Ile/Ile genotype is reached to the significant level in the hyperactivity subtype (88.2%) compared to controls (64.8%) (p=0.035) and the frequency of GSTT1-null genotype is significantly higher in the inattentive boys (p=0.005). Similarly, GSTT1-null genotype showed significant associations in combined subtype (p=0.016) and hyperactivity subtype (p=0.036) of the ADHD girls. Thus our result imply that the polymorphisms in the GST genes may affect ADHD, however, replication study for larger sample set and functional studies are crucial to confirm these findings. PMID:27060407

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are a family of multifunctional phase II enzymes that are involved in the detoxification of exogenous and endogenous compounds. In this study, a full-length cDNA of Mu-class GST (PmMuGST) was isolated from the hepatopancreas of Penaeus monodon using rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. The full length cDNA of PmMuGST is 867 bp, contains an open read frame of 660 bp, and encodes a polypeptide of 219 amino acids with a molecular mass of 25.61 kDa and pI of 6.15. Sequence analysis indicated that the predicted protein sequence of PmMuGST was very similar to (86 %) that of Litopenaeus vannamei. A conserved domain of GST_N_Mu_like (PSSM: cd03075) and GST_C_family_superfamily_like (PSSM: cl02776) was indentified in PmMuGST. Real time quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that PmMuGST was present in all of the tested tissues. PmMuGST transcripts both in the hepatopancreas and in the muscle were significantly induced after 14 days of treatment with a low dosage of AFB1 (50 μg/kg) exposure and were significantly inhibited after 42 and 56 days of a high dosage of AFB1 (1000, 2500 μg/kg AFB1) exposure. Taken together, the Mu-class GST from P. monodon was inducible and was involved in the response to AFB1 exposure. PMID:27386274

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is believed to be associated with excessive production of reactive oxygen species. GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) polymorphisms result in decreased or absent enzyme activity and altered oxidative stress, and have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present study assessed the effect of GST polymorphisms on the risk of developing T2DM in individuals of Malaysian Malay ethnicity. A total of 287 subjects, consisting of 87 T2DM and 64 CVD/T2DM patients, as well as 136 healthy gender- and age-matched controls were genotyped for selected polymorphisms to evaluate associations with T2DM susceptibility. Genomic DNA was extracted using commercially available kits, and GSTM1, GSTT1, and α-globin sequences were amplified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Biochemical parameters were measured with a Hitachi autoanalyzer. The Fisher exact test, the chi-square statistic, and means ± standard deviations were calculated using the SPSS software. Overall, we observed no significant differences regarding genotype and allele frequencies between each group (P = 0.224 and 0.199, respectively). However, in the combined analysis of genotypes and blood measurements, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and triglyceride levels, followed by age, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, and history of T2DM significantly differed according to GST polymorphism (P ˂ 0.05). Genetically induced absence of the GSTT1 enzyme is an independent and powerful predictor of premature vascular morbidity and death in individuals with T2DM, and might be triggered by cigarette smoking's oxidative effects. These polymorphisms could be screened in other ethnicities within Malaysia to determine further possible risk factors. PMID:27173202

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) play an important role in detoxification of carcinogenic electrophiles. The null genotypes in GSTM1 and GSTT1 have been implicated in carcinogenesis. Present study was planned to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene loci in cervical carcinogenesis. The study was conducted in Lok Nayak hospital, New Delhi. DNA from clinical scrapes of 482 women with minor gynaecologic complaints attending Gynaecology OPD and tumor biopsies of 135 cervical cancer cases attending the cancer clinic was extracted. HPV DNA was detected by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using L1 consensus primer pair. Polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were analysed by multiplex PCR procedures. Differences in proportions were tested using Pearson's Chi-square test with Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk of cervical cancer was almost three times in women with GSTM1 homozygous null genotype (OR-2.62, 95%CI, 1.77-3.88; p<0.0001). No association of GSTM1 or GSTT1 homozygous null genotypes was observed in women with normal, precancerous and cervical cancerous lesions among ≤35 or >35 years of age groups. Smokers with null GSTT1 genotype had a higher risk of cervical cancer as compared to non-smokers (OR-3.01, 95% CI, 1.10-8.23; p=0.03). The results further showed that a significant increased risk of cervical cancer was observed in HPV positive smoker women with GSTT1 (OR-4.36, 95% CI, 1.27-15.03; p=0.02) and GSTM1T1 (OR-3.87, 95% CI, 1.05-14.23; p=0.04) homozygous null genotypes as compared to HPV positive non smokers. The results demonstrate that the GST null genotypes were alone not associated with the development of cervical cancer, but interacted with smoking and HPV to exert effects in our Delhi population. PMID:26434855

Two variants of human class pi glutathione (GSH) S-transferase 1-1 with either isoleucine or valine in position 104 (hGSTP1-1[I104] and hGSTP1-1[V104]) have distinct activity toward (+)-anti-7, 8-dihydroxy-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene [(+)-anti-BPDE]. To elucidate their structure-function relationship, we determined the crystal structures of the two variants in complex with GSBpd, the GSH conjugate of (+)-anti-BPDE, at 2.1 and 2.0 A resolution, respectively. The crystal structures reveal that residue 104 in the xenobiotic substrate-binding site (H-site) dictates the binding modes of the product molecule GSBpd with the following three consequences. First, the distance between the hydroxyl group of Y7 and the sulfur atom of GSBpd is 5.9 A in the hGSTP1-1[I104].GSBpd complex versus 3.2 A in the V104 variant. Second, one of the hydroxyl groups of GSBpd forms a direct hydrogen bond with R13 in hGSTP1-1[V104].GSBpd; in contrast, this hydrogen bond is not observed in the I104 complex. Third, in the hydrophilic portion of the H-site of the I104 complex, five H-site water molecules [Ji, X., et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 9690-9702] are observed, whereas in the V104 complex, two of the five have been displaced by the Bpd moiety of GSBpd. Although there is no direct hydrogen bond between Y108 (OH) and the hydroxyl groups of GSBpd, indirect hydrogen bonds mediated by water molecules are observed in both complexes, supporting the previously suggested role of the hydroxyl group of Y108 as an electrophilic participant in the addition of GSH to epoxides. PMID:10441116

Uncertainties about the composition and identities of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) in human tissue have impeded studies on their biological functions. A rigorous protocol has therefore been developed to characterize the human proteins. Cytosolic GST subunits were resolved by reverse-phase HPLC methods, individual components were assigned to Alpha, Mu and Pi classes on the basis of their immunoreactivities, and peptide-sequence-specific antisera were used to distinguish among five different Mu-class subunits (GSTM1-GSTM5). Each subunit type was characterized and identified unambiguously by electrospray ionization-MS. Acetylation of N-terminal residues in the GSTA1, GSTA2, GSTM3 and GSTM4 subunits were the only natural post-translational modifications detected. The unique structure of GSTM3, with N- and C-terminal peptide extensions predicted from cDNA sequences, was confirmed. Only testis and brain were rich sources of GSTM3 subunits. Subunit profiles were distinct and characteristic of the particular tissue type, and this tissue specificity in GST expression was evident even in organs from different individuals. For instance, livers had relatively simple GST compositions, consisting of a preponderance of Alpha-class subunits and GSTM1 (when present). By contrast, representation of most subunit types was a characteristic feature of testis, which had the highest levels of GSTs. GSTM4 and GSTM5 subunits, here identified for the first time in human tissue extracts, were minor components, with GSTM5 found only in brain, lung and testis. Specimens devoid of GSTM1 subunits, particularly those from null-genotype individuals, were readily discerned at the protein level. Liver was the only rich source of the GSTM1 subunit (although it also constituted a major fraction of adrenal GSTs), and so the functional consequences of the GSTM1 gene deletion are likely to vary in extrahepatic tissues. PMID:9230131

The development of multidrug resistance in MCF7 human breast cancer cells is associated with overexpression of P-glycoprotein, changes in activities of several detoxication enzymes, and loss of hormone sensitivity and estrogen receptors (ERs). The authors have cloned the cDNA for one of the drug-detoxifying enzymes overexpressed in multidrug-resistant MCF7 cells (Adr/sup R/ MCF7), the anionic isozyme of glutathioneS-transferase (GST/pi/). Hybridization with this GST/pi/ cDNA, GST/pi/-1, demonstrated that increased GST/pi/ activity in Adr/sup R/ MCF7 cells is associated with overexpression but not with amplification of the gene. They mapped the GST/pi/ gene to human chromosome 11q13 by in situ hybridization. Since multidrug resistance and GST/pi/ overexpression are associated with the loss of ERs in Adr/sup R/ MCF7 cells, they examined several other breast cancer cell lines that were not selected for drug resistance. In each of these cell lines they found an inverse association between GST/pi/ expression and ER content. They also examined RNA from 21 primary breast cancers and found a similar association between GST/pi/ expression and ER content in vivo. The finding of similar patterns of expression of a drug-detoxifying enzyme and of ERs in vitro as well as in vivo suggests that ER-negative breast cancer cells may have greater protection against antineoplastic agents conferred by GST/pi/ than ER-positive tumors.

A glutathioneS-transferase (Sj26GST) from Schistosoma japonicum, which functions in the parasite's Phase II detoxification pathway, is expressed by the Pharmacia pGEX-2T plasmid and is used widely as a fusion-protein affinity tag. It contains all 217 residues of Sj26GST and an additional 9-residue peptide linker with a thrombin cleavage site at its C-terminus. Size-exclusion HPLC (SEC-HPLC) and SDS-PAGE studies indicate that purification of the homodimeric protein under nonreducing conditions results in the reversible formation of significant amounts of 160-kDa and larger aggregates without a loss in catalytic activity. The basis for oxidative aggregation can be ascribed to the high degree of exposure of the four cysteine residues per subunit. The conformational stability of the dimeric protein was studied by urea- and temperature-induced unfolding techniques. Fluorescence-spectroscopy, SEC-HPLC, urea- and temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis, differential scanning microcalorimetry, and enzyme activity were employed to monitor structural and functional changes. The unfolding data indicate the absence of thermodynamically stable intermediates and that the unfolding/refolding transition is a two-state process involving folded native dimer and unfolded monomer. The stability of the protein was found to be dependent on its concentration, with a delta G degree (H2O) = 26.0 +/- 1.7 kcal/mol. The strong relationship observed between the m-value and the size of the protein indicates that the amount of protein surface area exposed to solvent upon unfolding is the major structural determinant for the dependence of the protein's free energy of unfolding on urea concentration. Thermograms obtained by differential scanning microcalorimetry also fitted a two-state unfolding transition model with values of delta Cp = 7,440 J/mol per K, delta H = 950.4 kJ/mol, and delta S = 1,484 J/mol. PMID:9041642

Bay region diol epoxides are recognized ultimate carcinogens of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and in vitro studies have demonstrated that they can be detoxified by conjugation with glutathione, leading to the widely investigated hypothesis that individuals with low activity forms of glutathione-S-transferases are at higher risk of PAH induced cancer, a hypothesis that has found at most weak support in molecular epidemiology studies. A weakness in this hypothesis was that the mercapturic acids resulting from conjugation of PAH bay region diol epoxides had never been identified in human urine. We recently analyzed smokers’ urine for mercapturic acids derived from phenanthrene, the simplest PAH with a bay region. The only phenanthrene diol epoxide-derived mercapturic acid in smokers’ urine was produced from the reverse diol epoxide, anti-phenanthrene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide (11), not the bay region diol epoxide, anti-phenanthrene-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxide (10), which does not support the hypothesis noted above. In this study, we extended these results by examining the conjugation of phenanthrene metabolites with glutathione in human hepatocytes. We identified the mercapturic acid N-acetyl-S-(r-4,t-2,3-trihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-c-1-phenanthryl)-L-cysteine (14a), (0.33–35.9 pmol/mL at 10 µM 8, 24h incubation, N = 10) in all incubations with phenanthrene-3,4-diol (8) and the corresponding diol epoxide 11, but no mercapturic acids were detected in incubations with phenanthrene-1,2-diol (7) and only trace amounts were observed in incubations with the corresponding bay region diol epoxide 10. Taken together with our previous results, these studies clearly demonstrate that glutathione conjugation of a reverse diol epoxide of phenanthrene is favored over conjugation of a bay region diol epoxide. Since reverse diol epoxides of PAH are generally weakly or non-mutagenic/carcinogenic, these results, if generalizable to other PAH, do not support the widely held

The biosynthesis of S-(3-hexan-1-ol)-glutathione (3MH-S-glut) and S-(3-hexan-l-ol)-L-cysteine (3MH-S-cys), which act as flavour precursors in wines, in Vitis vinifera grapes exposed to various environmental stress conditions is reported here. Ultraviolet (UV-C) irradiation, water deficit, and biological stimulation up-regulated 3MH-S-glut and 3MH-S-cys biosynthesis in grape leaves. 3MH-S-glut and 3MH-S-cys contents in grape berries were increased by cold shock, heat shock, UV-C irradiation, and biological stimulation. The results suggest that environmental stress enhances the biosynthesis of both flavour precursors in grapevine. The transcription of VvGST1, VvGST3, VvGST4, and GGT in grapevine exposed to the stress conditions was increased markedly compared with that in control grapevine. Also, UV irradiation increased GST (glutathioneS-transferase) and GGT (γ-glutamyl transferase) enzyme activities in grape berries. Recombinant VvGST3 and VvGST4, but not VvGST1, mediated the synthesis of 3MH-S-glut from reduced glutathione and trans-2-hexenal in vitro. The enzymatic mediation of flavour precursor production is a novel function of plant GSTs and may result in the detoxification of damaged grape cells under stress conditions. PMID:21115666

GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes that catalyze xenobiotic metabolism in the phase II detoxification process. GSTs have a potential for use as indicators or biomarkers to assess the presence of organic and inorganic contaminants in aquatic environments. In this study, a full-length cDNA of a mu (μ) class GST (RpGSTμ) was identified from Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) and biochemically characterized. The 1356 bp of the cDNA included an open reading frame of 651 bp encoding a polypeptide of 217 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 25.04 kDa and an estimated pI of 6.34. Sequence analysis revealed that the RpGSTμ possessed several characteristic features of μ class GSTs, such as a thioredoxin-like N-terminal domain containing binding sites for glutathione (GSH), a C-terminal domain containing substrate binding sites, and a μ loop. The recombinant RpGSTμ (rRpGSTμ) protein exhibited GSH-conjugating catalytic activity towards several substrates, and significantly strong activity was detected against 4-nitrophenethyl bromide (5.77 ± 0.55) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB, 3.19 ± 0.05). Kinetic analysis as a function of GSH and CDNB concentrations revealed relatively low Km values of 1.03 ± 0.46 mM and 0.56 ± 0.20 mM, respectively, thereby indicating a GSH-conjugation attributed with high rates. The optimum pH and temperature for the catalytic activity of the rRpGSTμ protein were 7.7 and 37°C, respectively. The effect of two inhibitors, Cibacron blue and hematin, on the activity of rRpGSTμ was evaluated and the IC50 values of 0.65 μM and 9 μM, respectively, were obtained. While RpGSTμ transcripts were highly expressed in gills and hemocytes, a significant elevation in mRNA levels was detected in these tissues after lipopolysaccharide (LPS), polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) and live bacterial (Vibrio tapetis) challenges. These findings collectively suggest that RpGSTμ functions as a potent detoxifier of xenobiotic

The effects of platinum-based drugs are controlled by genes that are involved in DNA detoxification, including glutathioneS-transferase (GST)P1 and GSTM1, which have been associated with increased benefits in the chemotherapeutic treatment of patients with ovarian cancer. The present study assessed the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms in GST genes on the overall survival (OS) of patients with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma that were treated with chemotherapy. A total of 95 patients received treatment with a carboplatin-based or alternative chemotherapy. Polymorphisms in the patients were genotyped using the following methods: Pyrosequencing, to identify GSTP1 Ile105Val; a relative quantification method, to identify the copy number variation in GSTM1; and polymerase chain reaction followed by gel electrophoresis, to identify the null vs. non-null genotypes of GSTM1. The association between genotypes and OS of patients was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. The OS of patients treated with paclitaxel + carboplatin-based chemotherapy was significantly increased, compared with patients treated with alternative forms of chemotherapy (P=0.035). The OS of patients did not differ significantly between different GSTP1 genotypes (log-rank test, P=0.17). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that, since the start of the treatment, there was not a significant association between the GSTP1 isoleucine allele and the OS for heterozygous carriers of the isoleucine allele [hazards ratio (HR), 1.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77–4.12; P=0.18] and no homozygous carriers of the valine allele had been detected (HR, 0.00). There was no significant difference between GSTM1 genotypes, according to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (log-rank test, P=0.83). Patients that possessed ≤1 copy of GSTM1 exhibited no decrease in OS (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.37–2.51; P=0.94), compared with patients that

Increasing glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) activity is one of the most important ways to increase the cellular influx of glucose. We previously demonstrated that increased GLUT-1 expression was an independent predictor of survival in patients with laryngeal carcinoma. Thus, GLUT-1 may present a novel therapeutic target in laryngeal carcinoma. In this study, the expression of GLUT-1, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) and glutathioneS-transferase-π (GST-π) in laryngeal carcinomas was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, possible correlations between GLUT-1 and P-gp, MRP1 and GST-π and various clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. In this study, 52.9% (18/34), 58.8% (20/34), 20.6% (7/34) and 58.8% (20/34) of the laryngeal carcinomas were positive for GLUT-1, P-gp, MRP1 and GST-π, respectively. The expression of GLUT-1, P-gp, MRP1 and GST-π was higher in laryngeal carcinoma specimens when compared with laryngeal precancerous lesions (P<0.05). Pearson’s correlation analysis showed correlations between GLUT-1 and P-gp (r=0.364; P=0.034), GLUT-1 and MRP1 (r=0.359; P=0.037) and P-gp and GST-π (r=0.426; P=0.012). GLUT-1 expression was found to significantly correlate with tumor-node-metastasis classification (P=0.02) and clinical stage (P=0.037). Furthermore, P-gp was found to significantly correlate with clinical stage (P=0.026). Univariate analysis showed that MRP1 expression was significantly associated with poor survival (c2=5.16; P=0.023). Multivariate analysis revealed that lymph node metastasis (P=0.009) and MRP1 overexpression (P=0.023) were significant predictors of poor survival. In the present study, the expression of GLUT-1, P-gp, MRP1 and GST-π in laryngeal carcinomas was investigated, as well as the correlations between these proteins. P-gp was found to significantly correlate with clinical stage, while MRP1 overexpression was significantly associated with poor survival. PMID:25621055

The occurrence and activation of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) and the GST activities in biofilms in cold sulfidic spring waters were compared to the occurrence and activation of GST and the GST activities of the aquatic fungal strains EH5 and EH7 of Mucor hiemalis isolated for the first time from such waters. Using fluorescently labeled polyclonal anti-GST antibodies and GST activity measurements, we demonstrated that a high level of GST occurred in situ in natural biofilms and pure cultures of strain EH5. Measurement of microsomal and cytosolic soluble GST activities using different xenobiotic substrates, including 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, 1,2-epoxy-3-(4-nitrophenoxy)propane, 1-iodo-2,4-dinitrobenzene, and fluorodifen, showed that the overall biotransforming abilities of biofilms were at least sixfold greater than that of strain EH5 alone. Increasing the level of sodium thiosulfate (STS) in the medium stimulated the microsomal and cytosolic GST activities with CDNB of strain EH5 about 44- and 94-fold, respectively, compared to the activities in the control. The induction of microsomal GST activity with fluorodifen by STS was strongly linear, but the initial strong linear increase in cytosolic GST activity with fluorodifen showed saturation-like effects at STS concentrations higher than approximately 1 mM. Using laser scanning confocal and conventional fluorescence microscopy, abundant fluorescently labeled GST proteins were identified in germinating sporangiospores of strain EH5 after activation by STS. High-performance size exclusion chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of at least two main GSTs (∼27.8- and ∼25.6-kDa subunits) in the cytosol of EH5, whereas the major 27.8-kDa subunit was the only GST in microsomes. We suggest that differential cellular GST expression takes place in strain EH5 depending on spore and hyphal development. Our results may

Chromosome 11q13 amplification has been identified in a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (H&N SCCs). This region contains several putative oncogenes, including cyclin D1 (PRAD1, CCND1), which encodes for an important cell cycle regulatory protein, and the locus encoding for the drug-detoxifying enzyme glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GST-pi). To determine the relationship of cyclin D1 and GST-pi gene amplification to expression of the encoded proteins, the authors examined 64 H&N SCCs by both Southern blot hybridization and immunohistochemistry, using a recently described, affinity-purified, anticyclin D1 polyclonal antibody no. 19 as well as a polyclonal antibody against GST-pi. Anticyclin D1 antibody no. 19 labeled the tumor cell nuclei in 28 (44%) of the H&N SCCs, whereas cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for GST-pi was noted in 55 (86%) neoplasms. By Southern blot 24 tumors (37.5%) showed twofold to tenfold amplification of 11q13 loci; only two of these were coamplified for GST-pi. Immunopositivity with anticyclin D1 antibody no. 19 but not anti-GST-pi significantly correlated with 11q13 amplification (P < .0001). Of the 28 tumors positive with anticyclin D1 antibody no. 19, however, only 18 (64%) were amplified for 11q13, and six amplified tumors did not react with the no. 19 antibody. A strong trend was noted between anticyclin D1 antibody no. 19 reactivity and a hypopharyngeal primary site (P = .053), but no correlations were observed between immunoreactivity and cytological grade, architectural pattern, pathological stage, and disease-free or overall survival. The inconsistent association of cyclin D1 immunoreactivity with 11q13 amplification indicates that other mechanisms may exist for protein overexpression. Immunoreactivity for the GST-pi protein is prevalent in H&N SCC but is clearly unassociated with amplification. In this series, the presence or extent of cyclin D1 and GST-pi immunoreactivity was of no proven prognostic benefit in H&N SCC

In order to elucidate the relationships among arsenic methylation capacity, body retention, and genetic polymorphisms of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) M1 and T1, a total of 115 study subjects were recruited from Lanyang Basin located on the northeast coast of Taiwan. Specimens of drinking water, blood, urine, hair and toenail were collected from each study subject. Urinary inorganic and methylated arsenic were speciated by high performance liquid chromatography combined with hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Arsenic concentration in hair and toenail were quantitated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The polymerase chain reaction was used to determine genetic polymorphisms of GST M1 and T1. Arsenic concentrations in urine, hair, and toenail of study subjects were positively correlated with arsenic levels in their drinking water. Percentages of various arsenic species in urine (mean +/- standard error (SE) were 11.8 +/- 1.0, 26.9 +/- 1.2 and 61.3 +/- 1.4, respectively, for inorganic arsenic, monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Men and women had similar arsenic methylation capability. No associations were observed between arsenic methylation capability and arsenic content in either drinking water or urine. Ratios of arsenic contents in hair and toenail to urinary arsenic content (mean +/- standard error) were 6.2 +/- 0.7 and 16.5 +/- 1.7, respectively. Genetic polymorphisms of GST M1 and T1 were significantly associated with arsenic methylation. Subjects having the null genotype of GST M1 had an increased percentage of inorganic arsenic in urine, while those with null genotype of GST T1 had an elevated percentage of DMA in urine. Arsenic contents in hair and toenail were significantly correlated with the increase in arsenic concentrations of drinking water and urine, while no significant associations were observed between arsenic contents in hair and toenail and polymorphisms of GST M1 and T1. The relationship between

The inactivation mechanism(s) of human glutathioneS-transferase P1-1 (hGST P1-1) by the catechol metabolite of Premarin estrogens, 4-hydroxyequilenin (4-OHEN), was (were) studied by means of site-directed mutagenesis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis, titration of free thiol groups, kinetic studies of irreversible inhibition, and analysis of band patterns on nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The four cysteines (Cys 14, Cys 47, Cys 101, and Cys 169 in the primary sequence) in hGST P1-1 are susceptible to electrophilic attack and/or oxidative damage leading to loss of enzymatic activity. To investigate the role of cysteine residues in the 4-OHEN-mediated inactivation of this enzyme, one or a combination of cysteine residues was replaced by alanine residues (C47A, C101A, C47A/C101A, C14A/C47A/C101A, and C47A/C101A/C169A mutants). Mutation of Cys 47 decreased the affinity for the substrate GSH but not for the cosubstrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). However, the Cys 47 mutation did not significantly affect the rate of catalysis since V(max) values of the mutants were similar or higher compared to that of wild type. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analyses of wild-type and mutant enzymes treated with 4-OHEN showed that a single molecule of 4-OHEN-o-quinone attached to the proteins, with the exception of the C14A/C47A/C101A mutant where no covalent adduct was detected. 4-OHEN also caused oxidative damage as demonstrated by the appearance of disulfide-bonded species on nonreducing SDS--PAGE and protection of 4-OHEN-mediated enzyme inhibition by free radical scavengers. The studies of thiol group titration and irreversible kinetic experiments indicated that the different cysteines have distinct reactivity for 4-OHEN; Cys 47 was the most reactive thiol group whereas Cys 169 was resistant to modification. These results demonstrate that hGST P1-1 is inactivated by 4-OHEN through two

Many studies have investigated the effects of glutathioneS-transferase (GST) polymorphisms on cancer incidence in people exposed to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The basis for this is that the carcinogenic bay region diol epoxide metabolites of several PAH are detoxified by GSTs in in vitro studies. However, there are no reports in the literature on the identification in urine of the mercapturic acid metabolites that would result from this process in humans. We addressed this by developing a method for quantitation in human urine of mercapturic acids which would be formed from angular ring diol epoxides of phenanthrene (Phe), the simplest PAH with a bay region, and a common environmental pollutant. We prepared standard mercapturic acids by reactions of syn- or anti-Phe-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxide and syn- or anti-Phe-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide with N-acetylcysteine. Analysis of human urine conclusively demonstrated that the only detectable mercapturic acid of this type—N-acetyl-S-(r-4,t-2,3-trihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-c/t-1-phenanthryl)-L-cysteine (anti-PheDE-1-NAC)—was derived from the ‘reverse diol epoxide’, anti-Phe-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide, and not from the bay region diol epoxides, syn- or anti-Phe-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxide. Levels of anti-PheDE-1-NAC in the urine of 36 smokers were (mean ± SD) 728 ± 859 fmol/ml urine. The results of this study provide the first evidence for a mercapturic acid of a PAH diol epoxide in human urine, but it was not derived from a bay region diol epoxide as molecular epidemiologic studies have presumed, but rather from a reverse diol epoxide, representative of metabolites with little if any carcinogenic activity. These results demonstrate the need for integration of genotyping and phenotyping information in molecular epidemiology studies. PMID:18477646

GlutathioneS-transferases M1 or T1 (GSTM1/GSTT1) affect the body's ability either to detoxify or to activate chemicals in cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate a hypothesized interaction of the genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and T1 with cigarette smoking in the risk of LEAD in the ARIC study. A stratified-random sample, including 212 LEAD cases (ankle-brachial index <0.9 in men or <0.85 in women) and 1277 non-cases, was selected from the ARIC cohort of 12041 middle-aged participants free of CHD, transient ischemic attack and stroke at baseline (1987-1989). Overall, the differences in the frequencies of GSTM1-0 and GSTT1-0 (the homozygous deletion genotype) were not statistically significant between cases and non-cases (44 vs. 41% and 28 vs. 18%). However, smoking was more prevalent among LEAD cases than non-cases. The results suggest that the non-deletion genotype GSTM1-1 interacts with smoking to increase the risk of LEAD, but this interaction was not statistically significant. The functional genotype GSTT1-1 was significantly associated with increased risk of LEAD given smoking after adjustment for other risk factors. In individuals with GSTT1-1, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) of LEAD were 3.6 (1.4, 9.0) for current smoking and 5.0 (1.9, 13.0) for 20+ pack-years. However, in those with GSTT1-0, the ORs were 0.8 (0.2, 2.8) for current smoking and 0.6 (0.1, 2.1) for 20+ pack-years. The interaction was significant (P<0.05) on the additive scale for current smoking and on both the additive and multiplicative scales for 20+ pack-years. Among non-smokers, GSTT1-1 was not associated with LEAD. The results suggest that the GSTT1-1 polymorphism may be a susceptibility factor modifying the risk of LEAD associated with cigarette smoking. PMID:11257276

We describe here an Escherichia coli expression system that produces recombinant proteins enriched in the N-terminal processed form, by using glutathioneS-transferase cGSTM1-1 and rGSTT1-1 as models, where c and r refer to chick and rat respectively. Approximately 90% of the cGSTM1-1 or rGSTT1-1 overexpressed in E. coli under the control of a phoA promoter retained the initiator methionine residue that was absent from the mature isoenzymes isolated from tissues. The amount of initiator methionine was decreased to 40% of the expressed cGSTM1-1 when the isoenzyme was co-expressed with an exogenous methionine aminopeptidase gene under the control of a separate phoA promoter. The recombinant proteins expressed were mainly methionine aminopeptidase. The yield of cGSTM1-1 was decreased to 10% of that expressed in the absence of the exogenous methionine aminopeptidase gene. By replacing the phoA with its natural promoter, the expression of methionine aminopeptidase decreased drastically. The yield of the co-expressed cGSTM1-1 was approx. 60% of that in the absence of the exogenous methionine aminopeptidase gene; approx. 65% of the initiator methionine residues were removed from the enzyme. Under similar conditions, N-terminal processing was observed in approx. 70% of the recombinant rGSTT1-1 expressed. By increasing the concentration of phosphate in the growth medium, the amount of initiator methionine on cGSTM1-1 was decreased to 14% of the overexpressed isoenzymes, whereas no further improvement could be observed for rGSTT1-1. The initiator methionine residue does not affect the enzymic activities of either cGSTM1-1 or rGSTT1-1. However, the epoxidase activity and the 4-nitrobenzyl chloride-conjugating activity of the purified recombinant rGSTT1-1 are markedly higher that those reported recently for the same isoenzyme isolated from rat livers. PMID:10024508

The eye colour mutant sepia (se1) is defective in PDA {6-acetyl-2-amino-3,7,8,9-tetrahydro-4H-pyrimido[4,5-b]-[1,4]diazepin-4-one or pyrimidodiazepine} synthase involved in the conversion of 6-PTP (2-amino-4-oxo-6-pyruvoyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteridine; also known as 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin) into PDA, a key intermediate in drosopterin biosynthesis. However, the identity of the gene encoding this enzyme, as well as its molecular properties, have not yet been established. Here, we identify and characterize the gene encoding PDA synthase and show that it is the structural gene for sepia. Based on previously reported information [Wiederrecht, Paton and Brown (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 2195-2200; Wiederrecht and Brown (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 14121-14127; Andres (1945) Drosoph. Inf. Serv. 19, 45; Ingham, Pinchin, Howard and Ish-Horowicz (1985) Genetics 111, 463-486; Howard, Ingham and Rushlow (1988) Genes Dev. 2, 1037-1046], we isolated five candidate genes predicted to encode GSTs (glutathioneS-transferases) from the presumed sepia locus (region 66D5 on chromosome 3L). All cloned and expressed candidates exhibited relatively high thiol transferase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities and low activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, characteristic of Omega class GSTs, whereas only CG6781 catalysed the synthesis of PDA in vitro. The molecular mass of recombinant CG6781 was estimated to be 28 kDa by SDS/PAGE and 56 kDa by gel filtration, indicating that it is a homodimer under native conditions. Sequencing of the genomic region spanning CG6781 revealed that the se1 allele has a frameshift mutation from 'AAGAA' to 'GTG' at nt 190-194, and that this generates a premature stop codon. Expression of the CG6781 open reading frame in an se1 background rescued the eye colour defect as well as PDA synthase activity and drosopterins content. The extent of rescue was dependent on the dosage of transgenic CG6781. In conclusion, we have discovered a new catalytic

GlutathioneS-transferases (GST) and glutathione peroxidases (GPx) are essential components of cellular detoxification systems. We identified GST and GPx transcripts in the freshwater bivalve Dreissena polymorpha, their full-length coding sequences were obtained by reverse-transcription PCR using degenerated primers followed by 5' and 3' RACE-PCR (rapid amplification of cDNA ends-PCR). The cDNA identified encoded proteins of 205 and 243 amino acids corresponding respectively to a pi-class GST and a selenium-dependent GPx. The comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences with GST and GPx from other species showed that the residues essential to the enzymatic function of these two proteins are highly conserved. We studied their expression pattern in the digestive gland, the gills and the excretory system of D. polymorpha. The results showed that pi-GST mRNA expression is higher in the digestive gland than in the gills or the excretory system. Se-GPx transcripts are expressed at high, medium and very low levels in the digestive gland, the excretory system and the gills, respectively. PMID:17827073

The Alpha class glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) in human liver are composed of polypeptides of Mr 25,900. These enzymes are dimeric, and two immunochemically distinct subunits, B1 and B2, have been described that combine to form GSTs B1B1, B1B2 and B2B2 [Stockman, Beckett & Hayes (1985) Biochem. J. 227, 457-465]. Gradient affinity elution from GSH-Sepharose has been used to resolve the three Alpha class GSTs, and this method has been applied to demonstrate marked inter-individual differences in the hepatic content of GSTs B1B1, B1B2 and B2B2. The B1 and B2 subunits can be resolved by reverse-phase h.p.l.c., and their elution positions suggest that they are equivalent to the alpha chi and alpha y h.p.l.c. peaks described by Ketterer and his colleagues [Ostlund Farrants, Meyer, Coles, Southan, Aitken, Johnson & Ketterer (1987) Biochem. J. 245, 423-428]. The B1 and B2 subunits have now been cleaved with CNBr and the fragments subjected to automated amino acid sequence analysis. The sequence data show that B1 and B2 subunits do not arise from post-translational modification, as had been previously believed for the hepatic Alpha class GSTs, but are instead the products of separate genes; B1 and B2 subunits were found to contain different amino acid residues at positions 88, 110, 111, 112, 116, 124 and 127. The relationship between the B1 and B2 subunits and the cloned GTH1 and GTH2 cDNA sequences [Rhoads, Zarlengo & Tu (1987) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 145, 474-481] is discussed. PMID:2604726

A method for the sensitive determination of tetrahydrothiophene (THT) in cytosolic incubation mixtures was developed. Busulfan conjugation with glutathione was predominantly catalysed by glutathioneS-transferase A1-1 (GST A1-1) and THT was released from the primary metabolite by alkalization. After liquid-liquid extraction using n-pentane separation and quantification of the product was performed by gas chromatography with a mass-selective detector. The method showed good sensitivity, accuracy and reproducibility with a detection limit of 2 ng ml(-1) and a limit of quantification of 5 ng ml(-1). The suitability of the method is shown for enzyme kinetic studies in human liver cytosol as well as for determination of GST A1-1 activity. PMID:10437668

An excessive and sustained increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. In the present study, we have demonstrated that 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a product of lipid peroxidation, alters glutathione (GSH) pools and induces oxidative stress in PC12 cells in culture. This increase was accompanied by alterations in subcellular ROS and glutathione (GSH) metabolisms. The GSH homeostasis was affected as both mitochondrial and extramitochondrial GSH levels, GSH peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were inhibited and glutathioneS-transferase (GST) activity was increased after 4-HNE treatment. A concentration- and time-dependent increase in cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) activity in the mitochondria and postmitochondrial supernatant was also observed. 4-HNE-induced oxidative stress also caused an increase in the expression of GSTA4-4, CYP2E1 and Hsp70 proteins in the mitochondria. Increased oxidative stress in PC12 cells initiated apoptosis as indicated by the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, activation of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), DNA fragmentation and decreased expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Mitochondrial respiratory and redox functions also appeared to be affected markedly by 4-HNE treatment. These results suggest that HNE-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis might be associated with altered mitochondrial functions and a compromised GSH metabolism and ROS clearance.

GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) from the liver and gill tissues of Ağrı Balık Lake Trout (also known as Black Sea Trout) Salmo trutta labrax was characterized and purified, and the toxic effects of some heavy metal ions on the enzyme's activity were analyzed. Liver GST was purified 930 times, resulting in 56% yield using glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography and a specific activity of 60.87 endotoxin units (EU)/mg protein. Using the same procedure, gill GST was purified 576 times, resulting in a 60% yield and specific activity of 46.8 EU/mg protein. The purity check of the purified enzymes was determined with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Optimal pH, ionic strength, and stable pH were found for each tissue, and separate KM and Vmax values were determined for reduced glutathione and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene substrates. Heavy metal ions that have toxic effects on living organisms and are known to contribute to environmental pollution were selected, and their in vitro effects on enzyme activity were analyzed. The IC50 values and Ki constants of those metal ions showing an inhibitory effect on GST activity were determined. PMID:26075414

Because induction of phase II detoxification enzyme is important for chemoprevention, we study the effects of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill, a medicinal herb, on the expression of π class of glutathioneS-transferase (GSTP) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in rat Clone 9 liver cells. Both water and ethanolic extracts of I. suffruticosa significantly increased the expression and enzyme activities of GSTP and NQO1. I. suffruticosa extracts up-regulated GSTP promoter activity and the binding affinity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) with the GSTP enhancer I oligonucleotide. Moreover, I. suffruticosa extracts increased nuclear Nrf2 accumulation as well as ARE transcriptional activity. The level of phospho-ERK was augmented by I. suffruticosa extracts, and the ERK inhibitor PD98059 abolished the I. suffruticosa extract-induced ERK activation and GSTP and NQO-1 expression. Moreover, I. suffruticosa extracts, especially the ethanolic extract increased the glutathione level in mouse liver and red blood cells as well as Clone 9 liver cells. The efficacy of I. suffruticosa extracts in induction of phase II detoxification enzymes and glutathione content implies that I. suffruticosa could be considered as a potential chemopreventive agent. PMID:23831193

Modeling methods allow the identification and analysis of determinants of reactivity and specificity in enzymes. The reaction between glutathione and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) is widely used as a standard activity assay for glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs). It is important to understand the causes of differences between catalytic GST isoenzymes and the effects of mutations and genetic polymorphisms. Quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) molecular dynamics simulations have been performed here to investigate the addition of the glutathione anion to CDNB in the wild-type M1-1 GST isoenzyme from rat and in three single point mutant (Tyr6Phe, Tyr115Phe, and Met108Ala) M1-1 GST enzymes. We have developed a specifically parameterized QM/MM method (AM1-SRP/CHARMM22) to model this reaction by fitting to experimental heats of formation and ionization potentials. Free energy profiles were obtained from molecular dynamics simulations of the reaction using umbrella sampling and weighted histogram analysis techniques. The reaction in solution has also been simulated and is compared to the enzymatic reaction. The free energies are in excellent agreement with experimental results. Overall the results of the present study show that QM/MM reaction pathway analysis provides detailed insight into the chemistry of GST and can be used to obtain mechanistic insight into the effects of specific mutations on this catalytic process. PMID:17480056

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a unique 1-Cys member of the peroxiredoxin family with both GSH peroxidase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities. It is highly expressed in the lung where it plays an important role in antioxidant defense and lung surfactant metabolism. Glutathionylation of Prdx6 mediated by its heterodimerization with GSH S-transferase π (πGST) is required for its peroxidatic catalytic cycle. Recombinant human Prdx6 crystallizes as a homodimer and sedimentation equilibrium analysis confirmed that this protein exists as a high affinity dimer in solution. Based on measurement of molecular mass, dimeric Prdx6 that was oxidized to the sulfenic acid formed a sulfenylamide during storage. After examination of the dimer interface in the crystal structure, we postulated that the hydrophobic amino acids L145 and L148 play an important role in homodimerization of Prdx6 as well as in its heterodimerization with πGST. Oxidation of Prdx6 also was required for its heterodimerization. Sedimentation equilibrium analysis and the Duolink proximity ligation assay following mutation of the L145 and L148 residues of Prdx6 to Glu indicated greatly decreased dimerization propensity reflecting the loss of hydrophobic interactions between the protein monomers. Peroxidase activity was markedly reduced by mutation at either of the Leu sites and was essentially abolished by the double mutation, while PLA2 activity was unaffected. Decreased peroxidase activity following mutation of the interfacial leucines presumably is mediated via impaired heterodimerization of Prdx6 with πGST that is required for reduction and re-activation of the oxidized enzyme. PMID:26891882

GlutathioneS-transferase (GST) from Schistosoma japonicum, which is widely used for the production of fusion proteins in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli, was employed as a functional fusion module that effects dimer formation of a recombinant protein and confers enzymatic reporter activity at the same time. For this purpose GST was linked via a flexible spacer to the C-terminus of the thiol-protease inhibitor cystatin, whose binding properties for papain were to be studied. The fusion protein was secreted into the bacterial periplasm by means of the OmpA signal peptide to ensure formation of the two disulfide bonds in cystatin. The formation of wrong crosslinks in the oxidizing milieu was prevented by replacing three of the four exposed cysteine residues in GST. Using the tetracycline promoter for tightly controlled gene expression the soluble fusion protein could be isolated from the periplasmic protein fraction. Purification to homogeneity was achieved in one step by means of an affinity column with glutathione agarose. Alternatively, the protein was isolated via streptavidin affinity chromatography after the Strep-tag had been appended to its C terminus. The GST moiety of the fusion protein was enzymatically active and the kinetic parameters were determined using glutathione and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrates. Furthermore, strong binding activity for papain was detected in an ELISA. The signal with the cystatin-GST fusion protein was much higher than with cystatin itself, demonstrating an avidity effect due to the dimer formation of GST. The quaternary structure was further confirmed by chemical crosslinking, which resulted in a specific reaction product with twice the molecular size. Thus, engineered GST is suitable as a moderately sized, secretion-competent fusion partner that can confer bivalency to a protein of interest and promote detection of binding interactions even in cases of low affinity. PMID:9336840

The isolated perfused rabbit lung metabolised 7--11 % of 20 mumol of [14C]-benzo(a)pyrene added in the perfusion medium in 1 h. The major metabolite formed was 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, both free (30--40 % of the total metabolites) and conjugated (4 % of total metabolites). Quinones comprised 15 % of the total and metabolism at the 9, 10 position accounted for a further 10 %. Forty per cent of the water-soluble metabolites was chromatographically identical to the glutathione conjugate of benzo(a)pyrene 4,5-oxide. Sulphate and glucuronide conjugates were formed in small but detectable amounts, principally from phenols, but also from dihydrodiols. After 1 h the more water-soluble conjugates had diffused from the lung into the perfusion medium, but the majority (60--90 %) of the metabolic products were still concentrated within the lung. The lung's limited ability to conjugate its major metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene with sulphuric or glucuronic acid, coupled with slow elimination of the products formed, particularly dihydrodiols may contribute to the susceptibility of this organ to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced carcinogenesis. PMID:522517

Fascioliasis is a worldwide parasitic disease in human and domestic animals. The causative agents of fascioliasis are Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. In the recent years, fasciola resistance to drugs has been reported in the many of publications. Fasciola spp has detoxification system including GST enzyme which may be responsible for its resistance. Therefore , the aim of the study was to assay of GST enzyme activity in fasciola parasites. Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica helminths were collected from abattoir as a live and cultured in buffer media for 4 h at 37 °C. Excretory-Secretory products were collected and stored in -80◦C. F. gigantica and Fasciola hepatica were homogenized with homogenizing buffer in a glass homogenizer to prepare of somatic extract. Suspension was then centrifuged and supernatant was stored at -80°C. In order to assay the enzyme activity, excretory-secretory and somatic extracts in the form of cocktails (potassium phosphate buffer, reduced glutathione and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene substrates) were prepared and their absorbance recorded for 5 minutes at 340 nm. The total and specific GST activity of F. gigantica somatic and ES products were obtained as 2916.00, 272.01 micromole/minute and 1.33, 1.70 micromole/minute/mg protein, respectively. Fasciola hepatica also showed 2705.00, 276.86 micromole/minute and 1.33, 1.52 micromole/minute/mg protein, respectively. These results are important for analysis of parasite survival / resistance to drugs which use for treatment of fascioliasis. PMID:21287474

Our recent work in endothelial cells and human atherosclerotic plaque showed that overexpression of glutathione-S-tranferases (GSTs) in endothelium protects against oxidative damage from aldehydes such as 4-HNE. Nuclear factor (NF)-{kappa}B plays a crucial role during inflammation and immune responses by regulating the expression of inducible genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). 4-HNE induces apoptosis and affects NF-{kappa}B mediated gene expression, but conflicting results on 4-HNE's effect on NF-{kappa}B have been reported. We compared the effect of 4-HNE on iNOS and the NF-{kappa}B pathway in control mouse pancreatic islet endothelial (MS1) cells and those transfected with mGSTA4, a {alpha}-class GST with highest activity toward 4-HNE. When treated with 4-HNE, mGSTA4-transfected cells showed significant upregulation of iNOS and nitric oxide (NO) through (NF)-{kappa}B (p65) translocation in comparison with wild-type or vector-transfected cells. Immunohistochemical studies of early human plaques showed lower 4-HNE content and upregulation of iNOS, which we take to indicate that GSTA4-4 induction acts as an enzymatic defense against high levels of 4-HNE, since 4-HNE accumulated in more advanced plaques, when detoxification and exocytotic mechanisms are likely to be overwhelmed. These studies suggest that GSTA4-4 may play an important defensive role against atherogenesis through detoxification of 4-HNE and upregulation of iNOS.

Effects of glyphosate based herbicide, Excel Mera 71 at a dose of 17.20mg/l on enzyme activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and protein content were measured in different tissues of two Indian air-breathing teleosts, Anabas testudineus (Bloch) and Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) during an exposure period of 30 days under laboratory condition. AChE activity was significantly increased in all the investigated tissues of both fish species and maximum elevation was observed in brain of H. fossilis, while spinal cord of A. testudineus showed minimum increment. Fishes showed significant increase LPO levels in all the tissues; highest was observed in gill of A. testudineus but lowest LPO level was observed in muscle of H. fossilis. CAT was also enhanced in both the fishes, while GST activity in liver diminished substantially and minimum was observed in liver of A. testudineus. Total protein content showed decreased value in all the tissues, maximum reduction was observed in liver and minimum in brain of A. testudineus and H. fossilis respectively. The results indicated that Excel Mera 71 caused serious alterations in the enzyme activities resulting into severe deterioration of fish health; so, AChE, LPO, CAT and GST can be used as suitable indicators of herbicidal toxicity. PMID:24927388

The enzyme Necator americanus glutathioneS-transferase 1 (Na-GST-1) belongs to a unique Nu class of GSTs and is a lead candidate antigen in a bivalent human hookworm vaccine. Here we describe the expression of Na-GST-1 in the yeast Pichia pastoris at the 20 L manufacturing scale and its purification process performed by three chromatographic steps, comprised of a Q Sepharose XL anion exchange column, followed by a Butyl Sepharose HP hydrophobic affinity column and a Superdex 75 size-exclusion column. Approximately 1.5 g of recombinant protein was recovered at an overall process yield of 51%, with a purity grade of 98% and the absence of detectable host cell protein. By mass spectrometry the recombinant protein exhibits a mass of 23,676Da, which closely matches the predicted molecular mass of the protein. The expression and purification methods described here are suitable for further scale-up product development and for its use to design formulation processes suitable to generate a vaccine for clinical testing. PMID:22503665

Cigarette smoking is the predominant risk factor for bladder cancer in males and females. The tobacco carcinogens are metabolized by various xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, such as the super-families of N-acetyltransferases (NAT) and glutathioneS-transferases (GST). Polymorphisms in NAT and GST genes alter the ability of these enzymes to metabolize carcinogens. We have conducted this case-control study to assess the role of smoking, slow NAT2 variants, and GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes in bladder cancer development in North Tunisia. In all groups of patients, we have shown that GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes did not appear to be a factor affecting bladder cancer susceptibility. For the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype, the NAT2*5/*7 diplotype was found to have a 7-fold increased risk of bladder (OR=7.14; 95% CI: 1.30-51.41). Furthermore, we found that NAT2 slow acetylator individuals temporarily carrying wild-type GSTT1 or GSTM1 null genotypes have a strong increased risk of bladder cancer (OR= 26 and 22.17, respectively). This cumulative effect was estimated at 12 for smokers harboring slow or an intermediate NAT2, GSTM1 null, and wild-type GSTT1 genotypes compared to non-smokers carrying rapid NAT2, wild-type GSTM,1 and GSTT1 null genotypes (p=0.02; OR=12; CI 95% 1-323.76). PMID:19380028

The present study was focused on the assessment of glutathion-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) activities in the digestive gland and foot of the land snail, Cantareus apertus (Born, 1778), exposed to different nominal dietary concentrations of Pb (25 and 2500 mg Pb/Kg), Cd (5 and 100 mg Cd/Kg) and their combination (25 mg Pb + 5 mg Cd/Kg and 2500 mg Pb + 100 mg Cd/Kg) for 7 and 60 days. GST activity was significantly increased after 7 and 60 days exposure to the highest concentration of Pb, Cd and their combination. The levels of CAT activity were different in the two studied organs but in both cases it resulted increased after 7 and 60 days of exposure, which varied significantly between metals and dietary concentrations. Therefore, it can be concluded that GST and CAT enzymes in digestive gland and foot of C. apertus are responsive to Cd, Pb and their combination, whereby they are suitable to be included in a battery of biomarkers for ecosystem health assessment in metal polluted soils using this species as sentinel. PMID:25899572

Intraoral salivary glands undergo remarkable age-related morphologic changes. This study investigated the expression of a panel of molecular markers known for cellular homeostatic activity, dependent on age and location of the salivary glands. Samples taken from healthy subjects were classified according to age ("young" <45 years, n=51, and "old" ≥60 years, n=45) and location (lip, n=47 and palate, n=49). They were immunohistochemically stained for mammary serine protease inhibitor (maspin), heat shock protein (HSP)70, HSP90, glutathioneS-transferase (GST), aquaporine5 (AQP5), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) for assessment of their expression in acini and ducts, and in cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Results were expressed as the mean percentage of positively stained component per age group, gland location and type of cell and cellular compartment. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA and crosstabs. The expression of maspin was lower in the old group in both the palatal and labial glands (acini and ducts, cytoplasm and nuclei) compared to the young group (p<0.05). In both age groups, when compared to labial glands, palatal glands exhibited higher expression of HSP70 (p<0.05) and lower expression of AQP5 (p<0.001) and NF-κB (p=0.018). Collectively, the low expression of factors capable of preserving cellular homeostasis (i.e., maspin and AQP5) vis-à-vis a high expression of factors that are also related to cell survival (i.e., HSPs) that was demonstrated in the old palatal glands may point to their high vulnerability to undergo selective phenotypic changes. PMID:23416193

Carcinogens present in cigarette smoke and diet have been associated with pancreatic cancer. We hypothesized that heterocyclic and aromatic amines implicated in these exposures could be involved as causative agents and that therefore genetic variation in enzymes metabolizing these carcinogens could modify the risk of developing malignant and benign pancreatic disease. The effect of the genetic polymorphism of acetyltransferases (NAT1) and NAT2), glutathioneS-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) on the risk of pancreatic diseases (cancer, pancreatitis) was examined in a case-control study. PCR-based assays were used for genotype analysis of genomic DNA from whole blood cells. Samples collected from Caucasian patients with diagnosed pancreatic cancer (n = 81), with non-alcoholic (n = 41) and alcoholic pancreatitis (n = 73) and from asymptomatic control subjects (n = 78) were analysed. The prevalence of GSTM1 null genotype and of NAT2 fast and slow acetylator genotypes and the distribution of frequencies for NQO1 genotypes did not differ in subjects with pancreatic diseases vs controls. For NAT1 slow acetylators a non-significant excess (P = 0.18) was found among pancreatic cancer cases vs controls. There was a significant over-representation of the GSTM1 AB or B genotype in all pancreatic disease cases combined (OR = 2.6; P < 0.05). When concurrent controls were pooled with literature controls (n = 1427), OR was 1.4 (P = 0.08). The results of this study, requiring confirmation, suggest that the polymorphism of GSTM1 and NAT1 enzymes may be associated with a modest increase in susceptibility to pancreatic diseases. PMID:9696930

Background: GlutathioneS-transferase 1 (GSTP1) inactivation is associated with CpG island promoter hypermethylation in the majority of prostate cancers (PCs). This study assessed whether the level of circulating methylated GSTP1 (mGSTP1) in plasma DNA is associated with chemotherapy response and overall survival (OS). Methods: Plasma samples were collected prospectively from a Phase I exploratory cohort of 75 men with castrate-resistant PC (CRPC) and a Phase II independent validation cohort (n=51). mGSTP1 levels in free DNA were measured using a sensitive methylation-specific PCR assay. Results: The Phase I cohort identified that detectable baseline mGSTP1 DNA was associated with poorer OS (HR, 4.2 95% CI 2.1–8.2; P<0.0001). A decrease in mGSTP1 DNA levels after cycle 1 was associated with a PSA response (P=0.008). In the Phase II cohort, baseline mGSTP1 DNA was a stronger predictor of OS than PSA change after 3 months (P=0.02). Undetectable plasma mGSTP1 after one cycle of chemotherapy was associated with PSA response (P=0.007). Conclusions: We identified plasma mGSTP1 DNA as a potential prognostic marker in men with CRPC as well as a potential surrogate therapeutic efficacy marker for chemotherapy and corroborated these findings in an independent Phase II cohort. Prospective Phase III assessment of mGSTP1 levels in plasma DNA is now warranted. PMID:25144624

The factors that determine progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are unknown. Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for cervical neoplasia, suggesting that polymorphism at detoxicating enzyme loci such as cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 and glutathioneS-transferase GSTM1 may determine susceptibility to these cancers. We have studied the frequencies of genotypes at these loci in women suffering low-grade CIN, high-grade CIN and SCC. A non-cancer control group was provided by women with normal cervical histology suffering menorrhagia. Comparison of the frequency distributions of the CYP2D6 PM, HET and EM genotypes (G-->A transition at intron 3/exon 4 and base pair deletion in exon 5) revealed no significant differences between the menorrhagia and SCC groups. Frequency distributions in the menorrhagia group, however, were significantly different (P < 0.04) from those in the low- and high-grade CIN groups. Thus, the proportion of EM was significantly larger (P < 0.03) and of HET generally lower. We found that the frequency of GSTM1 null in the menorrhagia and case groups was not significantly different. Interactive effects of enzyme genotypes with cigarette smoking were studied by comparing the multinomial frequency distributions of CYP2D6 EM/GSTM1 null/smoking over mutually exclusive categories. These showed no significant differences between the menorrhagia group and SCC or low-grade CIN groups. The frequency distribution in high-grade CIN, however, was significantly different to that in the menorrhagia group and in both SCC and low-grade CIN groups. This study was identified, for the first time, an inherited characteristic in women with high-grade CIN who appear to be at reduced risk of SCC. Thus, women with CYP2D6 EM who smoke have increased susceptibility to high-grade CIN but are less likely to progress to SCC, possibly because they effectively detoxify an unidentified chemical involved in mediating disease

Resistance to the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in the mouse is due to the constitutive expression of an Alpha-class glutathioneS-transferase (GST), YcYc, with high detoxification activity towards AFB1-8,9-epoxide. A cDNA clone (pmusGST Yc) for a murine GST Yc polypeptide has been isolated. Sequencing has shown the cDNA insert of pmusGST Yc to be 922 bp in length, with an open reading frame of 663 bp that encodes a polypeptide of M(r) 25358. The primary structure of the murine GST Yc subunit predicted by pmusGST Yc is in complete agreement with the partial amino acid sequence of the aflatoxin-metabolizing mouse liver GST described previously [McLellan, Kerr, Cronshaw & Hayes (1991) Biochem. J. 276, 461-469]. A plasmid, termed pKK-musGST Yc, which permits the expression of the murine Yc subunit in Escherichia coli, has been constructed. The murine GST expressed in E. coli was purified and found to be catalytically active towards several GST substrates, including AFB1-8,9-epoxide. This enzyme was also found to possess electrophoretic and immunochemical properties closely similar to those of the GST Yc subunit from mouse liver. However, the GST synthesized in E. coli and the constitutive mouse liver Alpha-class GST exhibited small differences in their chromatographic behaviour during reverse-phase h.p.l.c. Automated Edman degradation revealed alanine to be the N-terminal amino acid in the GST Yc subunit expressed in E. coli, whereas the enzyme in mouse liver possesses a blocked N-terminus. Although sequencing showed that the purified Yc subunit from E. coli lacked the initiator methionine, the amino acid sequence obtained over the first eleven N-terminal residues agreed with that predicted from the cDNA clone, pmusGST Yc. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the mouse Yc polypeptide with the primary structures of the rat Alpha-class GST enzymes revealed that it is more closely related to the ethoxyquin-induced rat liver Yc2 subunit than to

Background & objectives: Genetic polymorphisms in glutathione-S-transferase genes (GSTM1 and GSTT1) have been studied intensively for their potential role in lung cancer susceptibility. However, most of the studies on association between the polymorphisms and lung cancer do not distinguish between genotypes with one or two copies of the genes. The present study investigates the gene dosage effects of GSTT1 and GSTM1 copy number and their environmental interactions to examine the association of lung cancer risk with trimodular genotypes of the GSTs in a high-risk population from north-east India. Methods: A total of 154 lung cancer cases and 154 age and sex matched controls from the high risk region of north-east India were analyzed by multiplex real-time PCR to determine the trimodal genotypes (+/+, +/- and -/-) in both the genes (GSTM1 and GSTT1). Results: No significant association and gene dosage effect of GSTM1 gene copy number with lung cancer risk (Ptrend=0.13) were found. However, absence of GSTT1 conferred 68 per cent (OR=0.32;95%CI=0.15-0.71; P=0.005) reduced risk compared to the two copy number of the gene. There was evidence of gene dosage effect of GSTT1 gene (Ptrend=0.006). Tobacco smoking was a major environmental risk factor to lung cancer (OR=3.03;95%CI=1.73-5.31; P<0.001). However, its interaction with null genotype of GSTT1 conferred significant reduced risk to lung cancer (OR=0.30;95%CI=0.10-0.91; P=0.03). Further in only tobacco smokers, null genotype was associated with increased reduced risk [0.03(0.001-0.78)0.03; Ptrend=0.006]. No effect modification of GSTM1 was observed with lung cancer risk by environmental risk factors. Interpretation & conclusions: The results suggest that absence of GSTT1 null genotype may be associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer and the effect remains unchanged after interaction with smoking. PMID:25027082

Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) form DNA adducts via a complex metabolic activation pathway that includes cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, whereas intermediate metabolites can be detoxified by conjugation through pathways including glutathiones-transferase M1 (GSTM1). PAH-DNA adducts can be measured in peripheral white blood cells (WBCs) and should reflect the net effect of competing activation and detoxification pathways and DNA repair as well as exposure. We have previously shown that WBC PAH-DNA adducts measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were associated with recent, frequent consumption of charbroiled food among 47 nonsmoking wildland fire-fighters who provided two blood samples 8 wk apart. In the investigation reported here, which was performed in the same population, we measured the association between the GSTM1 null genotype, which results in loss of enzyme activity, and PAH-DNA adduct levels, hypothesizing that subjects with this genotype would have higher levels of DNA adducts because of their decreased ability to detoxify PAH metabolites. However, PAH-DNA adduct levels were nonsignificantly lower in subjects with the GSTM1 null genotype (n = 28) compared with other subjects (n = 19) (median 0.04 fmol/microgram DNA vs 0.07 fmol/microgram DNA, respectively, P = 0.45, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). Adduct levels were also lower in the nine subjects heterozygous or homozygous for the CYP1A1 exon 7 polymorphism (which codes for a valine rather than isoleucine and is thought to be associated with greater CYP1A1 activity) compared with the 38 wild-type subjects (P = 0.12). In the entire group, there was a positive association between consuming charbroiled food and PAH-DNA adduct formation (r = 0.24, P = 0.02, Spearman rank-order correlation). This association was weaker in the subgroup of subjects with the GSTM1 null genotype (r = 0.03, P = 0.84) and stronger among the remaining subjects (r = 0.57, P = 0.0002). These results

Isothiocyanates (ITCs), degradation products of glucosinolates (which occur naturally in a variety of cruciferous vegetables), have been shown to exhibit chemopreventive activity. These compounds are metabolized in vivo to form the corresponding dithiocarbamates, which are the major urinary metabolites of ITCs, by a pathway involving the glutathioneS-transferase (GST) class of enzymes. Using a newly developed assay that measures total ITC (primarily ITC conjugates) in urine, we examined the relationships between cruciferous vegetable intake (obtained from a food frequency/portion size questionnaire administered in person); dietary total ITC level; GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genotypes; and levels of total ITC in spot urine samples collected from 246 Singapore Chinese (111 men and 135 women), ages 45-74 years, who are participants of the Singapore Cohort Study on diet and cancer. Consumption level of cruciferous vegetables was high in study subjects (mean consumption = 345 times per year, mean daily intake = 40.6 g), which was >3 times the comparable level of intake in the United States. Mean daily intake of total ITC among study subjects was 9.1 micromol, and there was a 2.5-fold difference between the 25th and 75th percentile values. Seventy-three % of study subjects tested positive for ITC in urine, and there was a 4-fold difference between the 25th and 75th percentile values among the positive subjects. There was a highly significant positive association between dietary intake and urinary excretion levels of total ITC (two-sided P = 0.0003) that was stronger than the association between overall cruciferous vegetable intake and urinary ITC level, which also was statistically significant (P = 0.0004). There was no difference in urinary ITC levels between GSTM1-null and GSTM1-positive study subjects (P = 0.61) or between subjects with differing GSTP1 genotypes (P = 0.77), but urinary excretion of ITC was significantly higher among GSTT1-positive subjects, relative to

The cDNA encoding human glutathioneS-transferase (GST) T1 has been expressed as two recombinant forms in Escherichia coli that could be purified by affinity chromatography on either IgG-Sepharose or nickel-agarose; one form of the transferase was synthesized from the pALP 1 expression vector as a Staphylococcus aureus protein A fusion, whereas the other form was synthesized from the pET-20b expression vector as a C-terminal polyhistidine-tagged recombinant. The yields of the two purified recombinant proteins from E. coli cultures were approx. 15 mg/l for the protein A fusion and 25 mg/l for the C-terminal polyhistidine-tagged GST T1-1. The purified recombinant proteins were catalytically active, although the protein A fusion was typically only 5-30% as active as the histidine-tagged GST. Both recombinant forms could catalyse the conjugation of glutathione with the model substrates 1,2-epoxy-3-(4'-nitrophenoxy)propane,4-nitrobenzyl chloride and 4-nitrophenethyl bromide but were inactive towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, ethacrynic acid and 1-menaphthyl sulphate. Recombinant human GST T1-1 was found to exhibit glutathione peroxidase activity and could catalyse the reduction of cumene hydroperoxide. In addition, recombinant human GST T1-1 was found to conjugate glutathione with dichloromethane, a pulmonary and hepatic carcinogen in the mouse. Immunoblotting with antibodies raised against different transferase isoenzymes showed that GST T1-1 is expressed in a large number of human organs in a tissue-specific fashion that differs from the pattern of expression of classes Alpha, Mu and Pi GST. Most significantly, GST T1-1 was found in only low levels in human pulmonary soluble extract of cells, suggesting that in man the lung has little capacity to activate the volatile dichloromethane. PMID:9307035

GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms have been studied in many populations to evaluate their association with prostate cancer risk with contrasting results. The current study was aimed to find out the association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with prostate cancer in Pakistani men. This case control study included pathologically confirmed prostate cancer patients and age matched male controls. Epidemiological data was collected by a standard questionnaire and presence or absence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene was observed by multiplex PCR using CYP1A1 as housekeeping gene. Prostate cancer was more prevalent in age of >60 years and most of the patients were at stage IV (70 %) and have undergone surgery. Family history of cancer, smoking, metastasis and surgery were found to be significant (P<0.05) risk factors in prostate cancer development. Gleason score 7 was most prevalent (40.5 %) in prostate cancer patients. Source of drinking water, residential area, occupation, eating habits and number of family members had no association (P>0.05) with prostate cancer risk. No significant association was found when comparing GSTM1 (OR=0.78) and GSTT1 (OR=0.89) gene deletions with prostate cancer risk. Smoking and TNM staging were also not associated with deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes. Comparison of dual null deletion of both genes with prostate cancer also showed non-significant associations. Deletion of GSTM1 gene at stage IV prostate cancer patients was significantly higher compared with other stages of cancer while no significance was shown by GSTT1 gene deletion. GSTM1, GSTT1 and deletion of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes do not contribute towards increased risk of prostate cancer in Pakistani population. PMID:26600754

The study of synthetic peptides corresponding to discrete regions of proteins has facilitated the understanding of protein structure-activity relationships. Short peptides can also be used as powerful therapeutic agents. However, in many instances, small peptides are prone to rapid degradation or aggregation and may lack the conformation required to mimic the functional motifs of the protein. For peptides to function as pharmacologically active agents, efficient production or expression, high solubility, and retention of biological activity through purification and storage steps are required. We report here the design, expression, and functional analysis of eight engineered GST proteins (denoted GSHKTs) in which peptides ranging in size from 8 to 16 amino acids and derived from human high molecular weight kininogen (HK) domain 5 were inserted into GST (between Gly-49 and Leu-50). Peptides derived from HK are known to inhibit cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis, and the biological activity of the HK peptides was dramatically (>50-fold) enhanced following insertion into GST. GSHKTs are soluble and easily purified from Escherichia coli by affinity chromatography. Functionally, these hybrid proteins cause inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation. Crystallographic analysis of GSHKT10 and GSHKT13 (harboring 10- and 13-residue HK peptides, respectively) showed that the overall GST structure was not perturbed. These results suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of short peptides can be enhanced by insertion into larger proteins that are easily expressed and purified and that GST may potentially be used as such a carrier. PMID:22577144

Human exposure to arsenicals is associated with inflammatory-related diseases including different kinds of cancer as well as non-cancerous diseases like neuro-degenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes. Interindividual susceptibility has been mainly addressed by evaluating the role of genetic polymorphism in metabolic enzymes in inorganic arsenic (iAs) metabolism. GlutathioneS-transferase omega 1-1 (GSTO1-1), which had been associated with iAs metabolism, is also known to participate in inflammatory and apoptotic cellular responses. The polymorphism A140D of GSTO1-1 has been not only associated with distinct urinary profile of arsenic metabolites in populations chronically exposed to iAs in drinking water, but also with higher risk of childhood leukemia and lung disease in non-exposed populations, suggesting that GSTO1-1 involvement in other physiologic processes different from toxics metabolism could be more relevant than is thought. We evaluated the association of the presence of A140D and E208K polymorphisms of GSTO1-1 gene with the expression of genes codifying for proteins involved in the inflammatory and apoptotic response in a human population chronically exposed to iAs through drinking water. A140D polymorphism was associated with higher expression of genes codifying for IL-8 and Apaf-1 mainly in heterozygous individuals, while E208K was associated with higher expression of IL-8 and TGF- gene, in both cases, the association was independently of iAs exposure level; however, the exposure to iAs increased slightly but significantly the influence of A140D and E208K polymorphisms on such genes expression. These results suggest an important role of GSTO1-1 in the inflammatory response and the apoptotic process and indicate that A140D and E208K polymorphisms could increase the risk of developing inflammatory and apoptosis-related diseases in As-exposed populations. PMID:22293942

A triple mutant of rat liver glutathioneS-transferase 3-3 that has all three cysteine residues replaced with serine (CallS) and a quadruple mutant with a Tyr-115 to phenylalanine substitution on CallS (CallSY115F) were reacted with 2-(S-glutathionyl)-3,5,6-trichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (GS-1,4-TCBQ). The modified proteins were analysed on a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source. At an enzyme: GS-1,4-TCBQ ratio of 1:10, the enzymes were modified at multiple sites. Covalent attachment of a single inhibitor on to the protein was achieved by lowering the enzyme: GS-1,4-TCBQ ratio to 1:1. Results from m.s. analyses suggest that the inhibitor on the CallSY115F mutant exists as a glutathionyl dichlorobenzoquinone derivative. The modifiers of the CallS mutants are glutathionyl monochlorobenzoquinone derivatives. Therefore, GS-1,4-TCBQ reacts at a single site on CallSY115F, but probably cross-links two regions on wild-type and CallS mutant. To confirm our observation, CallS was modified with 1-chloro2,4-dinitrobenzene, which specifically labels Tyr-115, before reacting with GS-1,4-TCBQ. The inhibitor formed a glutathionyl dichlorobenzoquinone adduct on the dinitrophenyl-CallS mutant. In addition, the benzoquinone derivative on the protein can be partially removed by 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Peptide mapping and sequencing analysis of the GS-1,4-TCBQ-modified CallS mutant revealed that the C-terminal 16-amino-acid fragment is labelled. Molecular modelling suggests the C(5) and C(6) on the benzoquinone ring of the inhibitor interact with the oxygen atoms of Tyr-115 and Ser-209 respectively. PMID:7818487

Glutathione is a simple sulfur compound composed of three amino acids and the major non-protein thiol in many organisms, including plants. The functions of glutathione are manifold but notably include redox-homeostatic buffering. Glutathione status is modulated by oxidants as well as by nutritional and other factors, and can influence protein structure and activity through changes in thiol-disulfide balance. For these reasons, glutathione is a transducer that integrates environmental information into the cellular network. While the mechanistic details of this function remain to be fully elucidated, accumulating evidence points to important roles for glutathione and glutathione-dependent proteins in phytohormone signaling and in defense against biotic stress. Work in Arabidopsis is beginning to identify the processes that govern glutathione status and that link it to signaling pathways. As well as providing an overview of the components that regulate glutathione homeostasis (synthesis, degradation, transport, and redox turnover), the present discussion considers the roles of this metabolite in physiological processes such as light signaling, cell death, and defense against microbial pathogen and herbivores. PMID:22303267

Cell proliferation is pivotal to all stages of the carcinogenesis process and is one of the primary characteristics of the promotion stage of cancer development. wo-stage model of initiation and promotion for analysis of early neoplasia and a 3-stage initiation-promotion-progress...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of GSTM1 null/present, GSTT1 null/present, and GSTP1 IIe105Val polymorphisms in the clinical response to chemotherapy and treatment outcome of patients with breast cancer. A total of 262 subjects were randomly selected from among patients with a histologically confirmed breast cancer. The genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 IIe105Val polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Our study found that the null genotype of GSTM1 was associated with a better response to chemo-therapy, and the odds ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 1.78 (1.03-3.08). In the Cox proportional hazard model, the hazard ratio (95%CI) for overall survival (OS) in patients carrying the null genotype of GSTM1 was 0.57 (0.32-0.98) using the non-null genotype as the reference variable. However, we observed no significant association between the GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms and response to chemotherapy and OS in patients with breast cancer. In conclusion, our study found that the GSTM1 polymorphism plays an important role in influencing the chemotherapy response and OS in patients with breast cancer. PMID:26400343

H. zea and other insects have evolved strategies to counteract the plant protective proteins and defensive compounds they may encounter during feeding. We sought to take advantage of this phenomenon by identifying proteins upregulated in H. zea in response to the inclusion of cashew nut flour in th...

Purpose To assess the associations between cruciferous vegetable (CV) intake, GST gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer (CRC) in a population of Chinese men. Methods Using incidence density sampling, CRC cases (N = 340) diagnosed prior to December 31, 2010 within the Shanghai Men’s Health Study were matched to non-cases (N = 673). CV intake was assessed from a food frequency questionnaire and by isothiocyanate (ITC) levels from spot urine samples. GSTM1 and GSTT1 were categorized as null (0 copies) versus non-null (1 or 2 copies). Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between CV intake and GST gene variants with CRC and statistical interactions were evaluated. Results CRC risk was not associated with CV intake, whether measured by self-report or by urinary ITC, nor with GST gene variants. No statistical interactions were detected between CV intake and GST gene variants on the odds of CRC. Stratifying by timing of urine sample collection and excluding CRC cases diagnosed in the first two years did not materially alter the results. Conclusions This study provides no evidence supporting the involvement of CV intake in the development of CRC in Chinese men. PMID:24238877

Two drinking water production plants located in North Italy, collecting water from the River Po (Plants 1 and 2) were chosen for this study. Water samples were collected before and after the disinfection process and at two points along the piping system. Water samples were concentrated by the solid-phase extraction system and injected intraperitoneally into specimens of Cyprinus carpio. The concentration of water samples was 3 l/equiv. In order to assess the effects of the water samples on carp liver, total glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes, such as glutathioneS-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glyoxalase I, were measured following this treatment for 6 days at two experimental times (3 and 6 days). Both water plant-treated carp showed a general increase of the enzymatic activities of glutathioneS-transferase, and glutathione reductase which might be employed as potential biomarkers of oxidative stress induced by disinfected river water. Plant 1-treated carp showed higher glyoxalase I and glutathione levels and lower glutathione peroxidase activity. A depleted level of total glutathione and of glyoxalase I for specimens of water plant 2 (for both experimental times), without correlation with the distances in the pipeline, suggests that river plant water can also lead to potentially adverse effects on selected biochemical parameters in C. carpio. PMID:18457861

Bladder cancer is highly recurrent after therapy, which has an enormous impact on the health and financial condition of the patient. It is worth developing diagnostic tools for bladder cancer. In our previous study, we found that the bladder carcinogen BBN increased urothelial global DNA CpG methylation and decreased GSTM1 protein expression in mice. Here, the correlation of BBN-decreased GSTM1 and GSTM gene CpG methylation status was analyzed in mice bladders. BBN treatment decreased the protein and mRNA expression of GSTM1, and the CpG methylation ratio of GSTM1 gene promoter was slightly increased in mice bladders. Unlike mouse GSTM1, the human GSTM1 gene tends to be deleted in bladder cancers. Among 7 human bladder cancer cell lines, GSTM1 gene is really null in 6 cell lines except one, T24 cells. The CpG methylation level of GSTM1 was 9.9% and 5-aza-dC did not significantly increase GSTM1 protein and mRNA expression in T24 cells; however, the GSTM5 gene was CpG hypermethylated (65.4%) and 5-aza-dC also did not affect the methylation ratio and mRNA expression. However, in other cell lines without GSTM1, 5-aza-dC increased GSTM5 expression and decreased its CpG DNA methylation ratio from 84.6% to 61.5% in 5637, and from 97.4% to 75% in J82 cells. In summary, two biomarkers of bladder tumor were provided. One is the GSTM1 gene which is down-regulated in mice bladder carcinogenesis and is usually deleted in human urothelial carcinoma, while the other is the GSTM5 gene, which is inactivated by DNA CpG methylation. PMID:27404495

The domesticated one-humped camel, Camelus dromedarius, is one of the most important animals in the Arabian Peninsula. For most of its life, this species is exposed to both intrinsic and extrinsic genotoxic factors that cause gross DNA alterations in many organisms. GST enzymes constitute an important supergene family involved in protection against the deleterious effects of oxidative stress and xenobiotics. Cloning the camel mitochondrial GST kappa (GSTK) gene and comparing its structural similarities with different species may aid in understanding its evolutionary relics. We cloned the camel GSTK using RT-PCR. This yielded an open reading frame of 678 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 226 amino acid residues. In a comparative analysis, the cloned GSTK was used to screen orthologues from different organisms. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the camel GSTK apparently evolved from an ancestral GSTK gene that predated the appearance of vertebrates, and it grouped with pig, cattle, dog, horse, human and monkey GSTKs. The calculated molecular weight of the translated ORF was 25.52 kDa and the isoelectric point was 8.4. The deduced cGSTK sequence exhibited high identity with many mammals, such as Bactrian camel (99.55%), pig, cattle and human (>74%), and lower identity with other unrelated organisms, such as frog (Xenopus tropicalis, 61%), chicken (Gallus gallus, 57%), salmon (Salmo salar, 49%), sponge (Amphimedon queenslandica, 46%), tick (Amblyomma maculatum, 45%) and roundworm (Caenorhabditis elegans, 33%). A 3D structure was built based on the crystal structure of the human and rat enzymes. The levels of cGSTK expression in five camel tissues were examined via real-time PCR. The highest level of cGSTK transcripts was found in the camel liver, followed by the testis, spleen, kidney and lung. PMID:24810173

Molluscs and especially bivalves are able to accumulate dinoflagelates, diatoms and cyanobacteria toxins, and, being vectors for these toxins, transfer them along food chains. The data obtained from laboratory experiments showed that bivalve molluscs are resistant to cyanobacteria toxins. In this work, we wanted to test if Mytilus galloprovincialis organs react to microcystins and other cyanobacteria compounds by inducing or decreasing its GST activity. Acclimated mussels M. galloprovincialis were exposed to the toxic Microcystis aeruginosa M13 strain. Exposure of mussels to toxins was done in three ways: living Microcystis cells, crude Microcystis extracts and pure toxins. The measurement of soluble and microsomal GST activity in the different mussel organs was done by using the substrates 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and 2,4-dichloro-1-nitrobenzene (DCNB). Analysis of the GST activity of the control mussels using CDNB as a substrate showed that cytosolic activity is much more significant than microsomal. Intact M. aeruginosa cells did not induce any significant response from the mussels, showing that these animals are quite resistant to the cyanobacteria if they are intact. On the other hand, cell extracts caused an important effect in the gut, in the gills and in the labial palps, although in different ways. There was an increase in GST activity in the gut and gills of mussels exposed to Microcystis extracts, showing a response of this detoxication pathway, but in the labial palps a severe reduction in GST activity occurred. Pure MC LR+YR induced an increase in GST activity in all organs but the labial palps. The results showed that other substances apart from microcystins may cause stress to mussels and affect detoxication enzymes such as GST. PMID:17675203

Plants are attacked by pathogens representing diverse taxonomic groups, such that genes providing multiple disease resistance (MDR) would likely be under positive selection pressure. We examined the novel proposition that naturally occurring allelic variants may confer MDR. To do so, we applied a ...

Glutathione levels were determined in bovine and rat thyroid tissue by enzymatic conjugation with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene using glutathioneS-transferase. Bovine thyroid tissue contained 1.31 {+-} 0.04 mM reduced glutathione (GSH) and 0.14 {+-} 0.02 mM oxidized glutathione (GSSG). In the rat, the concentration of GSH was 2.50 {+-} 0.05 mM while GSSG was 0.21 {+-} 0.03 mM. Glutathione reductase (GR) was purified from bovine thyroid to electrophoretic homogeneity by ion exchange, affinity and molecular exclusion chromatography. A molecular weight range of 102-109 kDa and subunit size of 55 kDa were determined for GR. Thyroidal GR was shown to be a favoprotein with one FAD per subunit. The Michaelis constants of bovine thyroidal GR were determined to be 21.8 {mu}M for NADPH and 58.8 {mu}M for GSSG. The effect of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T{sub 4}) on in vivo levels of GR and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were determined in rat thyroid homogenates. Both enzymes were stimulated by TSH treatment and markedly reduced following T{sub 4} treatment. Lysosomal hydrolysis of ({sup 125}I)-labeled and unlabeled thyroglobulin was examined using size exclusion HPLC.

A functional analysis of the role of glutathione in protecting plants from environmental stress was undertaken by studying Arabidopsis that had been genetically modified to have altered glutathione levels. The steady-state glutathione concentration in Arabidopsis plants was modified by expressing the cDNA for gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase (GSH1) in both the sense and antisense orientation. The resulting plants had glutathione levels that ranged between 3% and 200% of the level in wild-type plants. Arabidopsis plants with low glutathione levels were hypersensitive to Cd due to the limited capacity of these plants to make phytochelatins. Plants with the lowest levels of reduced glutathione (10% of wild type) were sensitive to as little as 5 microM Cd, whereas those with 50% wild-type levels required higher Cd concentrations to inhibit growth. Elevating glutathione levels did not increase metal resistance. It is interesting that the plants with low glutathione levels were also less able to accumulate anthocyanins supporting a role for glutathioneS-transferases for anthocyanin formation or for the vacuolar localization and therefore accumulation of these compounds. Plants with less than 5% of wild-type glutathione levels were smaller and more sensitive to environmental stress but otherwise grew normally. PMID:11402187

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive and economically damaging pest in Europe and North America, because the females have a serrated ovipositor enabling them to infest ripening almost all small fruits before harvest. Also flies are strongly attracted to fresh fruits rath...

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most toxic mycotoxins, which is toxic to plants and simulates oxidative stress. Glutathione is an important antioxidant in plants and is closely associated with detoxification in cells. We have previously shown that OTA exposure induces obvious expression differences in genes associated with glutathione metabolism. To characterize glutathione metabolism and understand its role in OTA phytotoxicity, we observed the accumulation of GSH in the detached leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana under OTA treatment. OTA stimulated a defense response through enhancing glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase activities, and the transcript levels of these enzymes were increased to maintain the total glutathione content. Moreover, the level of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was increased and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle fluctuated in response to OTA. The depletion of glutathione using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, inhibitor of glutamate-cysteine ligase) had no profound effect on OTA toxicity, as glutathione was regenerated through the ascorbate-glutathione cycle to maintain the total glutathione content. The ROS, MDA and GSH accumulation was significantly affected in the mutant gsh1, gr1 and gpx2 after treatment with OTA, which indicated that glutathione metabolism is directly involved in the oxidative stress response of Arabidopsis thaliana subjected to OTA. In conclusion, date demonstrate that glutathione-associated metabolism is closely related with OTA stress and glutathione play a role in resistance of Arabidopsis subjected to OTA. PMID:24662377

Glutathione (GSH) contents and activities of glutathioneS-transferases (GST), glutathione reductase (GSH-RD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) and glutathione conjugate export pump (GS-X pump) were determined in eight human tumour cell lines with different sensitivities to melphalan, a substrate of glutathione conjugation, and actinomycin D which has not been shown to be detoxified by glutathione-related mechanisms. Chang liver cells with highest GSH content and highest activities of GST, GSH-RD, GSHpx and GS-X pump were found to be most resistant to melphalan. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between sensitivities of the human tumour cells to melphalan and the glutathione-related factors (r = 0.72-0.79; except for GST, r = 0.65, P = 0.08), while there were no significant correlations observed between sensitivities of the human tumour cells to actinomycin D and all the glutathione-related factors tested (r = -0.25-0.14). Significant correlations of the glutathione-related factors to resistance of human tumour cells to melphalan, a substrate of glutathione conjugation, but not to resistance of the human tumour cells to actinomycin D which has not been shown to be detoxified by glutathione-related mechanisms suggested that glutathione-related mechanisms contribute to drug resistance by increased detoxification of the drugs involved. PMID:10737727

Glutathione (GSH) forms a part of the antioxidant system that plays a vital role in preventing oxidative stress, and an imbalance in the oxidant/antioxidant system has been linked to the pathogenesis of hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of the GSH system in the kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Components of the GSH system, including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and total GSH content, were measured in the kidneys of 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks old SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Systolic blood pressure of SHR was significantly higher from the age of 6 weeks onwards compared with age-matched WKY rats. GPx activity in the SHR was significantly lower from the age of 8 weeks onwards when compared to that in age-matched WKY rats. No significant differences were evident in the GPx-1 protein abundance, and its relative mRNA levels, GR, GST activity, and total GSH content between SHR and age-matched WKY rats. The lower GPx activity suggests of an impairment of the GSH system in the SHR, which might be due to an abnormality in its protein rather than non-availability of a cofactor. Its role in the development of hypertension in SHR however remains unclear. PMID:20680541

Sesamol (SML) (Sesamum indicum, Linn, Pedaliaceae) has been used traditionally as a health supplement in India and other countries for a long time. It is a well-known antioxidant, currently being tried against several neurological disorders. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential of sesamol treatment against 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP)-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative damage in striatal, cortex and hippocampal regions of the rat. The memory performance was assessed by Morris water maze and elevated plus maze paradigms. The oxidative damage was assessed by estimating the total glutathione, reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione levels and glutathione redox ratio. Glutathione-S-transferase and lactate dehydrogenase enzymes were also measured in different brain areas. 3-NP significantly impaired memory performance as assessed in Morris water maze and elevated plus maze, which was significantly attenuated by sesamol (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) pre-treatment. On the other hand, 3-NP significantly induced oxidative stress and depleted total glutathione, reduced glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, lactate dehydrogenase enzyme levels and redox ratio in the striatum, cortex and hippocampal regions as compared to the vehicle-treated group. Sesamol pre-treatment restored oxidative defence possibly by its free radical scavenging activity as compared to the 3NP-treated group. The present study suggests that sesamol could be used as an effective agent in the management of Huntington's disease. PMID:20102363

The effect of tocotrienol on the activities of glutathioneS-transferases (GSTs), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in rats given 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) was investigated over a 20 week period. Liver and kidney GST and liver GR activities were significantly increased after AAF administration. Kidney GPx activities were significantly affected; activity assayed with cumene hydroperoxide (cu-OOH) was increased but activity assayed with H2O2 was reduced. Supplementation of the diet with tocotrienol in the AAF-treated rats reduced the increase in enzyme activities. Tocotrienol on its own had no effect on the enzyme activities. PMID:8471073

There is an overwhelming abundance of genetic association studies available in the literature, which often can be collectively difficult to interpret. To address this issue, the Venice interim guidelines were established for determining the credibility of the cumulative evidence. The objective of this report is to evaluate the literature on the association of common GST variants (GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism) and lung cancer, and to assess the credibility of the associations using the newly proposed cumulative evidence guidelines. Information from the literature was enriched with an updated meta-analysis and a pooled analysis using data from the Genetic Susceptibility to Environmental Carcinogens (GSEC) database. There was a significant association between GSTM1 null and lung cancer for the meta- (meta OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.10–1.25) and pooled analysis (adjusted OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04–1.16), although substantial heterogeneity was present. No overall association between lung cancer and GSTT1 null or GSTP1 Ile105Val was found. When the Venice criteria was applied, cumulative evidence for all associations were considered “weak”, with the exception of East Asian carriers of the G allele of GSTP1 Ile105Val, which was graded as “moderate” evidence. In spite of large amounts of studies, and several statistically significant summary estimates produced by meta-analyses, the application of the Venice criteria suggests extensive heterogeneity and susceptibility to bias for the studies on association of common genetic polymorphisms, such as with GST variants and lung cancer. PMID:20729793

Although drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is frequently observed, individual variation in the susceptibility to DILI is hard to predict. Intrinsic genetic variation is considered a key element for this variation but little is known about the identity of the genes associated with DILI. In this study, pre-biopsy method was applied to uncover the key genes for D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced liver injury and a cause and effect study was conducted to elucidate the correlation between the expression of uncovered genes and GalN-induced hepatotoxicity. To identify the genes determining the susceptibility to GalN-induced hepatotoxicity, we compared the innate gene expression profiles in the liver tissue pre-biopsied before GalN treatment of the SD rats susceptible and resistant to GalN-induced hepatotoxicity, using microarray. Eight genes including Pttg1, Ifit1 and Gstt3 were lower or higher in the susceptible animals than the resistant and RT-PCR analysis confirmed it. To determine if these genes are associated with the susceptibility to GalN-induced hepatotoxicity indeed, expression levels were measured using real-time PCR in a new set of animals and the correlation with GalN-induced hepatotoxicity were analyzed. Notably, the expression of Pttg1 was significantly correlated with the severity of GalN-induced hepatotoxicity (p < 0.01) and the animals with lowest and highest level of Gstt3 turned out to be the most susceptible and resistant, respectively, demonstrating that the expression of Pttg1 and Gstt3 could predict inter-individual susceptibility to GalN-induced hepatotoxicity. More importantly, this study showed the utility of pre-biopsy method in the identification of the gene for the chemical-induced hepatotoxicity.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are multifactorial disorders resulting from environmental and genetic factors. Polymorphisms in MDR1 and GSTs genes might explain individual differences in susceptibility to IBD. We carried out a case-control study to examine the association of MDR1 (C1236T and C3435T), GSTT1, and GSTM1 polymorphisms with the risk of IBD. Subjects were genotyped using PCR-RFLP for MDR1 gene and multiplex PCR for GSTT1 and GSTM1. Meta-analysis was performed to test the association of variant allele carriage with IBD risk. We report that GSTT1 null genotype is significantly associated with the risk of CD (OR: 2.5, CI: 1.2-5, P = 0.013) and UC (OR: 3.5, CI: 1.5-8.5, P = 0.004) and can influence Crohn's disease behavior. The interaction between GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes showed that the combined null genotypes were associated with the risk of UC (OR: 3.1, CI: 1.1-9, P = 0.049). Furthermore, when compared to combined 1236CC/CT genotypes, the 1236TT genotype of MDR1 gene was associated with the risk of UC (OR: 3.7, CI: 1.3-10.7, P = 0.03). Meta-analysis demonstrated significantly higher frequencies of 3435T carriage in IBD patients. Our results show that GSTT1 null and MDR1 polymorphisms could play a role in susceptibility to IBD. PMID:26604430

Arl1 is a member of the Arf/Arl family of Ras-like GTPase superfamily. Arl1 is enriched in the trans-Golgi network (TGN). We have recently shown that Arl1 regulates TGN recruitment of GRIP domain-containing Golgin-97 and Golgin-245 by interacting with the conserved GRIP domain present in their carboxyl (C)-termini. We describe here methods for the analysis of the interaction between Arl1(GTP) and the GRIP domain of Golgin-245 using in vitro GST pull-down experiments. GST-Arl1(GTP) can recover endogenous Golgin-245 from HeLa cell cytosol. Furthermore, GST-GRIP domain of Golgin-245 can efficiently retain endogenous active Arl1. A pull-down assay is developed to quantify the relative level of active Arl1. PMID:16413289

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Inorganic arsenic is a human carcinogen to which millions of people are exposed via their naturally contaminated drinking water. Its molecular mechanisms of carcinogenicity have remained an enigma, perhaps because arsenate is biochemically transformed to at least five other arsenic-containing metabolites. In the biotransformation of inorganic arsenic, GSTO1 catalyzes the reduction of arsenate, MMA(V), and DMA(V) to the more toxic + 3 arsenic species. MMA(V) reductase and human (hGSTO1-1) are identical proteins. The hypothesis that GST-Omega knockout mice biotransformed inorganic arsenic differently than wild-type mice has been tested. The livers of male knockout (KO) mice, in which 222 bp of Exon 3 of the GSTO1 gene were eliminated, were analyzed by PCR for mRNA. The level of transcripts of the GSTO1 gene in KO mice was 3.3-fold less than in DBA/1lacJ wild-type (WT) mice. The GSTO2 transcripts were about two-fold less in the KO mouse. When KO and WT mice were injected intramuscularly with Na arsenate (4.16 mg As/kg body weight); tissues removed at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h after arsenate injection; and the arsenic species measured by HPLC-ICP-MS, the results indicated that the highest concentration of the recently discovered and very toxic MMA(III), a key biotransformant, was in the kidneys of both KO and WT mice. The highest concentration of DMA(III) was in the urinary bladder tissue for both the KO and WT mice. The MMA(V) reducing activity of the liver cytosol of KO mice was only 20% of that found in wild-type mice. There appears to be another enzyme(s) other than GST-O able to reduce arsenic(V) species but to a lesser extent. This and other studies suggest that each step of the biotransformation of inorganic arsenic has an alternative enzyme to biotransform the arsenic substrate.

Inter-individual variation in the metabolism of xenobiotics, caused by factors such as cigarette smoking or inorganic arsenic exposure, is hypothesized to be a susceptibility factor for urothelial carcinoma (UC). Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the role of gene–environment interaction in the carcinogenesis of UC. A hospital-based case–control study was conducted. Urinary arsenic profiles were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography–hydride generator-atomic absorpt